Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10) — The Supreme Court has deferred action on Solicitor General Jose Calida’s complaint against ABS-CBN anew, saying that the issue may be tackled by April the earliest.
SC Spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka said the high court did not act on the quo warranto petition against the TV network on Tuesday, the second en banc session that tackled the case. Instead, it will be discussed during the court’s April 14 meeting to be held in Baguio City, the first summer session of the court. “The justices need more time to further study the case,” Hosaka told reporters.
It’s been a month since Calida asked the SC to nullify the network’s existing franchise, citing grave violations of the terms set by Congress back in 1995. The matter was on the magistrates’ agenda this week, but they did not issue any order or decision regarding the case.
Calida followed up with a request for a gag order on his office as well as on ABS-CBN and its executives, actors, and employees, claiming that they engaged in propaganda favoring the network through news items aired after the filing of the case. He said the network’s statements and reportage sought to influence the decision of the justices and sway public opinion.
ABS-CBN’s existing franchise expires on May 4, 2020. Pending bills in Congress seek to grant another 25-year franchise to the Lopez-owned network. Media outlets, as well as electricity companies and cable TV providers, are required to secure legislative franchises. Such bills must first be approved by the House of Representatives before the Senate.
Last week, the Senate adopted a resolution backing the issuance of a provisional authority to the media giant, which will allow the network to continue to operate beyond the expiry of its franchise. The provisional authority will come from the National Telecommunications Commission, which earlier told the chamber that this measure will serve as the legal basis for ABS-CBN to remain on air beyond May.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises chair Franz Alvarez already sent the NTC a letter on February 26, asking the regulator to allow ABS-CBN to continue broadcasting until such time Congress decides on petitions for franchise renewal. Other lawmakers have also filed resolutions extending ABS-CBN’s franchise as late as June 2022 to give more time for Congress to discuss.
READ: NTC to issue provisional authority to ABS-CBN pending franchise renewal bid
President Rodrigo Duterte has been publicly ranting against ABS-CBN since assuming office, saying that the network refused to carry his campaign commercials even if they have been already paid for. In 2018, he said he will block the renewal of the network’s franchise. Last year, Duterte told the Lopez family to just sell the company to a new owner to boost its chances of staying in business.
However, the President accepted the apology offered by ABS-CBN President Carlo Katigbak during a Senate hearing last month for airing an anti-Duterte ad during the 2016 campaign which was paid for by the opposition. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte does not have anything to do with ABS-CBN’s franchise.
CNN Philippines Correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
