Philippine lawmakers near vote on fate of network that clashed

with Duterte
ph.yahoo.com/news/philippine-lawmakers-near-vote-fate-140300039.html

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ABS-CBN broadcast network employees gather as Philippine congress finalizes decision on franchise
renewal

By Karen Lema and Neil Jerome Morales

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine lawmakers concluded a hearing on Thursday on the license

renewal of top broadcaster ABS-CBN, paving the way for a critical vote on whether a major
media group that angered President Rodrigo Duterte should be allowed back on air.

The telecom regulator ordered ABS-CBN and its 21 radio and 38 television stations to
cease operations on May 5, after the lower house failed to conclude hearings on renewing
its 25-year license before it expired.

ABS-CBN's fate rests with one committee that must decide on a franchise renewal that
Duterte has threatened to block during repeated public outbursts at ABS, which stemmed
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from its failure to air one of his paid 2016 election commercials. ABS-CBN has since
apologised.

House speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who was Duterte's running mate, said the committee
could now make a "legally and morally sound decision" after 12 hearings.

Cayetano said, however, that ABS-CBN had used public airwaves to further its agenda, like
promoting its preferred election candidates. The network says its reporting is "accurate,
fair and balanced."

He stressed the issue was not about media freedom, hitting back at critics who accuse the
president's allies of punishing ABS-CBN, at a time when legal cases mount against another
news organisation, Rappler, whose gritty reporting has riled Duterte.

The vote is expected as early as Friday and will be closely watched as concern grows about
human rights and media freedom under Duterte in one of Asia's most liberal democracies.

It follows a guilty verdict in a recent libel case against Rappler chief Maria Ressa, and the
passing of a sweeping anti-terror law that critics say will be used to target Duterte's
opponents.

Dozens of activists gathered outside Congress in support of the 66-year-old broadcaster

and its 11,000 staff, many holding placards saying "VoteYestoABSCBN", "Defend Press
Freedom" and "Fight For Freedom and Democracy".

Many Filipinos depend on free TV and radio for news and entertainment and ABS-CBN
says it reaches 70% of the 107 million population.

Congressman Mark Go said a franchise must be "swiftly granted" because ABS-CBN was a
vital public service during a health crisis, while representative Rodrigo Abellanosa said
failure to do that would be "tantamount to curtailment of the freedom of expression".

(Editing by Martin Petty)

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