A total of eight bills were filed on House of Representatives which seeks the extension of franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN Corp.
Opposition lawmaker Edcel Lagman urged the Committee on Legislative Franchises led by Palawan Rep. Franz “Chicoy” Alvarez to bring the said bills on the plenary without further delay once the House returns to the regular session on January 20.
In a surprising turn of events, 12 lawmakers, most of which are Duterte allies, cross party lines in support of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal and these includes Deputy Speakers Rose Marie Arenas from Pangasinan, Aurelio Gonzales Jr. from Pampanga and Johnny Pimentel from Surigao del Sur.
Representatives Doy Leachon of Mindoro Oriental, Jericho Jonas Nograles of PBA party-list, and Parañaque 2nd district’s Joy Mira Tambunting also expressed their support on the media network’s franchise renewal.
Meanwhile House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano ensured that the Congress will tackle the matter with fairness and impartiality, The Philippine Star reported.
Duterte repeatedly insisted to block the broadcast giant’s franchise renewal and even told the Lopezes to just sell their network.
If not renewed, ABS-CBN’s franchise will expire on March 20, 2020.
