Villafuerte: Using ABS-CBN frequency for distance learning is no gov’t takeover

ABS-CBN Corporation making its frequency available for distance learning of students amid the COVID-19 pandemic and in the aftermath of the rejection of its franchise application is not tantamount to government takeover, House Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte said Friday.

“May transmitter sila, may equipment, may technical experts..in the service of the Filipino, we do not have a franchise, kids right now do not have access to quality education, there is a proposal from Congress. Sa akin, while we're in a pandemic, maganda na we let the government use the frequencies for now. Until a private entity comes up with something better," Villafuerte said in an ANC interview.

“The takeover of ABS-CBN facilities was never in my mind when I crafted the resolution. A takeover, if and when it should happen, should be done by negotiation and communication,” he added.

Villafuerte then said that the takeover of facilities cannot be forced on ABS-CBN.

“If ABS-CBN does not want [to], we cannot force them. This is just a suggestion. We are not forcing ABS-CBN to agree,” he said.

Still Villafuerte said that ABS-CBN should consider allowing the government to use its frequency.

“We are willing to partner with the government. I think they should start by saying that. Then there should be talks on how to come about it,” he said.

“If they come with an agreement, good. If not, we will not force them,” he added.

In the same interview, Villafuerte said the Lopez family should sell ABS-CBN Corporation to new owners to save its employees from job loss or risk remaining shut even after the Duterte administration.

The House legislative franchises panel, via a 70-11 vote, rejected ABS-CBN franchise application due to the following reasons: its former Chairman Eugenio Lopez III was both a Filipino and American citizen, the issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts supposedly favoring foreigners, inappropriate program content, meddling in politics, tax avoidance schemes; less than exemplary labor practices, among others.

The rejection was made even if government agencies such as the  Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Department of Justice cleared ABS-CBN Corporation of violations during the franchise hearing.—AOL, GMA News