09/09/2022
Breaking News!!!
ABS-CBN’s “important role” in “improving the lives of millions of Filipinos cannot be denied.”
Representatives Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City and Gabriel Bordado, Jr of Camarines Sur have filed House Bill 4202 and House Bill 4290 respectively seeking to grant ABS-CBN a new 25-year legislative franchise.
Rodriguez filed his bill on August 30, 2022 while Bordado filed his own version on August 31, 2022.
In his explanatory note, Rodriguez said the ‘Kapamilya’ network “produces a wide variety of engaging world-class entertainment programs in multiple genres and balanced, credible news programs” and “has also been very big on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), helping others and giving back.”
“In order to continue to provide uninterrupted and improved delivery of its services to the Filipino people, the franchise should be granted in the soonest possible time,” he said.
Bordado for his part explained that ABS-CBN “played a pivotal role in the lives of Filipino people and in upholding free press” stressing “its closure was a detriment to our goal of having an informed citizenry.”
“The important role that the network plays in improving the lives of millions of Filipinos cannot be denied,” he said.
Last June 30, 2022, Surigao Representative Johnny Pimentel filed House Bill 431 pointing out that “the cessation of a broadcasting network that has been one in keeping the public informed is surely a disservice to the Filipino people.”
On July 5, 2022, the Makabayan bloc, composed of Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Danniela Manuel, jointly filed House Bill 1218 with the same intent..
“This is the time to challenge this coming administration and even those in Congress kung paano titingnan nila ang press freedom and giving jobs,” Brosas said.
To recall, Congress, voting 70-11, rejected the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise in 2020 that “cost the jobs