Calida skips House hearing on ABS-CBN franchise

Solicitor General Jose Calida on Tuesday declined to attend the House franchise committee's hearing on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal.

In a letter to committee chairperson Franz Alvarez, Calida said the issues to be discussed in the hearing are also raised in petitions pending before the Supreme Court.

He explained that the sub judice rule prevents him from "sharing views and recommendations" in connection with the two pending petitions. Calida also did not attend previous Senate hearings over ABS-CBN's franchise issue for the same reason.

"This rule aims to immunize the court from every extraneous influence and to maintain the dignity and authority of the court in the administration of impartial justice," the official said.

Earlier this year, Calida filed a petition for quo warranto asking the SC to forfeit ABS-CBN's then-existing legislative franchise.

"The issues raised in the petition not only affect the validity of the expired franchise of ABS-CBN, but they ultimately cast a shadow over the legality and propriety of granting the company a renewed franchise," the solicitor general said.

After ABS-CBN's franchise expired on May 4, the National Telecommunications Commission ordered it to cease broadcast operations, prompting the company to challenge the shutdown order before the SC.

The Office of the Solicitor General, which Calida heads, represents the NTC in ABS-CBN's petition.

"Inevitably, this petition will likewise broach before the Supreme Court the issue of whether ABS-CBN's franchise can be legally renewed," Calida said in the letter.

The House of Representatives' joint panels on legislative franchises and on good government and public accountability have started a hearing on the bills granting ABS-CBN another 25-year franchise. — RSJ, GMA News