Rep. Yap wants House to directly tackle ABS-CBN 25-year franchise bill

Instead of just a six-month provisional franchise, ACT CIS party-list Representative Eric Yap on Monday suggested that the House of Representatives directly deliberate on the measure granting ABS-CBN another 25-year franchise.

Yap made the proposal after the chamber returned House Bill 6732, or the ABS-CBN provisional franchise bill, to the plenary after being approved on second reading last week to accommodate additional interpellation and amendments from lawmakers.

According to Yap, hearing the bills granting ABS-CBN another 25-year franchise would allow the company to answer the allegations made against them and hear the sides of those who opposed it.

"Bakit hindi na lang natin diretso i-hear yung 25-year franchise ng ABS-CBN? Kasi ito rin naman ang gusto ng lahat ng tao e. Para sa ganun, once and for all, matuldukan na natin ang franchise issue na ito," he said.

"I-hear na natin ang 25-years na franchise, bigyan ng time para ibigay ang panig ng ABS-CBN bigyan rin natin ng panahon yung mga nagrereklamo against ABS-CBN, lalong lalo na yung sa mga labor violations," he added.

Yap was one of the authors of House Resolution 853 which directed the House Committee on Legislative Franchise to inquire, in aid of legislation, on the "probable violations" of ABS-CBN on its franchise.

These supposed violations include the ABS-CBN's operation of a pay-per-view channel through free-to-air signals, and the alleged issuance of Philippine Depository Receipts to non-Filipino citizens.

Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte, who was sponsoring House Bill 6732 on the floor, said they would consider Yap's proposal and in due time, the House may decide to go straight to hearing the bills for the 25-year franchise.

But for now, what the authors want in giving a provisional authority to ABS-CBN is to have comprehensive and fair hearings on the issue.

"We are willing to consider the proposal or manifestation at in due time, pwede na ring ituloy, dinggin ang 25-year franchise para talaga magkaroon na ng malawakang pagdinig. Mapakinggan ng lahat at ako po ay open dyan sa tamang panahon, sa period of amendments siguro ay tatalakayin natin yan," Villafuerte said.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano himself was one of the authors of House Bill 6732.

In granting a provisional franchise, ABS-CBN would be able to resume its broadcast operations while Congress deliberated on the issues surrounding the now-expired franchise of the network.

It will also allow Congress to decide whether or not it will give another 25-year franchise to ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist order on its broadcast operations.

Its franchise expired on May 4. — DVM, GMA News