Filtered By: Topstories
News

Bill seeking provisional franchise for ABS-CBN until June 2022 filed in Senate


Thirteen senators filed a bill on Monday seeking to grant ABS-CBN Corporation a provisional franchise effective until the end of June 2022.

Senate Bill No. 1521 aims to amend Republic Act No. 7966 which provides for the 25-year franchise of ABS-CBN that lapsed on May 4.

A provisional franchise shall be granted to ABS-CBN that will allow it to "construct, install, operate, and maintain television and radio broadcasting stations in the Philippines" until June 30, 2022, according to the proposed measure.

Once enacted, the bill shall have a retroactive effect from May 3, 2020 and shall be in full force until a new franchise has been granted to ABS-CBN.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senators Richard Gordon, Lito Lapid, Sherwin Gatchalian, Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Bong Revilla, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and Manny Pacquiao introduced the proposed law.

On Monday, the Senate also adopted a simple resolution urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to reconsider the cease and desist order it issued against ABS-CBN.

The media network went off-air since Tuesday night in compliance with the said order.

It also asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order against the said directive of the NTC.—AOL, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT