Senate Hearing for ABS-CBN Franchise Renewal Resulted into Two Resolution Bill

PASAY CITY-- The Senate acted a hearing that tackles the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN

Corporation last Monday, February 24, 2020. It is attended by the ABS-CBN executives and

members of senate. The franchise will lapse on May 4, 2020 and not in the last week of March

according to the Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. Section 15 of the Republic Act No. 7966

states that, "This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its publication in at least

two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines."

The broadcasting network is facing a quo warranto petition at the Supreme Court filed by Solicitor

General Jose Calida. According to Calida, ABS-CBN is allegedly operating their pay-per-view

channel KBO without the consent of the National Telecommunications Commission and Philippine

Depository Permits to foreigners. The Supreme Court is set to deliberate their decision about the

quo warranto petition file by the Office of Solicitor General on March 10.

Senator Drilon and Revilla filed a bill seeking the extension of ABS-CBN’s franchise. Senator

Drilon files a concurrent resolution bill no. 6 that allows the broadcasting network to operate even

though their franchise renewal is still pending in the Congress and it seeks the issuance of permit

by the NTC. While Revilla filed a Senate Bill No. 1374 that alters the franchise of ABS-CBN and

extend its validity up until Dec. 31, 2020.

Accredited Sources:

(LAGRIMAS, 2020)

(TORREGOZA, 2020)