Lawmaker wants to revive probe on alleged ABS-CBN violations

A lawmaker on Tuesday has sought the reopening of investigation into the alleged franchise violations of ABS-CBN network when it was still operating.

Dasmariñas Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr., vice chairperson of the House committee on legislative franchises, said there is a need to look into the case anew "to determine if the company has corrected the legal infringements and other violations that led to the denial of its legislative franchise in 2020."

After several hearings, the previous 18th Congress denied the franchise application of the network citing possible breaches on the constitutional limits on foreign ownership, reported violations of labor and tax laws, among other issues. 

"We have to find out if ABS-CBN has been following the law or continuing to violate or circumvent it," Barzaga said in a statement and in a separate "24 Oras" report.

ABS-CBN initially inked an investment deal with TV-5 but the parties decided to drop the agreement after several lawmakers revealed plans to look into it.

ABS-CBN has since signed another agreement, this time with international cable channels Discovery Asia and the Asian Food Network.

Barzaga said there is no possible of such agreement at this time but added, that "we do not know if there are other deals that ABS-CBN has entered into which need to be reviewed to find out if they are violating the law.”

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier said ABS-CBN would be able to secure new franchise once all the issues against it are resolved.

GMA News has reached out to the network for its reaction.—LDF, GMA News