Harry Roque on ABS-CBN franchise: End of the road in 18th Congress

ABS-CBN Corporation’s franchise renewal application will no longer prosper in the 18th Congress after a committee in the House of Representatives rejected it, Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, a former party-list congressman, said the House rules provided that a rejected bill could not be revived in the plenary.

“Hindi na po ‘yan makakarating sa plenaryo. End of the road na po ‘yan,” Roque said in an interview with dzBB.

“Siguro para dito sa Kongresong ito dahil nagkaroon na ng desisyon sa application nila ng prangkisa eh mahihirapan na po ‘yang buksan muli habang tayo po’y nasa 18th Congress.”

The 18th Congress will end in June 2022.

“Ang alam ko po walang apela kasi hindi naman po hukuman ang congressional committee. Wala pong apela doon. Kung ano ang naging desisyon ng committee, ‘yun na po ang desisyon,” Roque said.

A total of 70 congressmen on Friday voted not to renew the license of ABS-CBN, 11 backed the application, two inhibited and one abstained, according to the House legislative franchises committee.

Malacañang accepted the decision, adding it was the sole prerogative of Congress.” The Palace also denied that the decision will have a “chilling effect” on press freedom.

“Hindi po ako naniniwala sa chilling effect dahil unang-una ang negosyo naman po talaga ng ABS-CBN ay hindi naman pagbabalita kundi ito ay entertainment,” Roque said.

Roque maintained that a congressional franchise is necessary for a broadcast company to operate. -NB, GMA News