House still mulling resolution on continued ABS-CBN operation –solon

House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chair Franz Alvarez could not say for sure whether the chamber would draft a resolution ensuring broadcaster ABS-CBN's continuous operation even after its franchise expires.

In an interview with reporters on Monday, Alvarez said they would still study the possibility of issuing a resolution that would keep ABS-CBN operating even after the expiration of its franchise on May 4.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, during a concurrent hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal in the Senate, said Congress could authorize the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to allow ABS-CBN to continue operating even it its franchise expired and before lawmakers could act on the broadcaster's application for renewal.

"Sa ngayon wala pa tayong ginagawang resolution since before hindi naman kinailangan na gawan pa ng resolution or any written document sa NTC," Alvarez explained.

"Parang practice na yun na ina-allow pa rin na mag-operate habang dinidinig sa committee," he added.

The NTC earlier confirmed the existence of a 1994 memorandum of understanding between Congress, the commission, and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas which said that while the franchise renewal of a broadcast network was pending before Congress, "the existing operators can still operate or broadcast."

The commission, however, is still waiting for the legal opinion of the Department of Justice on the continuous operation of ABS-CBN.

"Nasa NTC na yun kung paano nila ii-interpret yung magiging order," Alvarez said.

"Yung sa last Congress, may mga ilang cases na mayroon nag-expire bago natin na-aksyunan, hindi naman pinatigil. Wala naman nilabas na opinion ang DOJ. So wala tayong nakikitang reason para ngayon maging iba ang kalalabasan," he added.

Earlier in the day, Alvarez announced that the committee was open to accepting position papers for or against the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise, signaling the start of proceedings on the matter.

He said that once all positions papers had been taken into consideration, the panel could formally start deliberating on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills.

This, however, would likely take place either in May or in August, after President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address.

There were at least 11 bills filed at the House of Representatives renewing ABS-CBN's franchise.

However, up until Monday, no hearing nor deliberation had been held to consider the pending measures. — DVM, GMA News