Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13)— The Senate may conduct its own investigation on issues surrounding the franchise of media giant ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation.
Senator Grace Poe filed Senate Resolution 322, directing the committee on public services to look into the operations of ABS-CB, including its compliance with the terms and conditions of its franchise under Republic Act 7966 enacted in 1995
READ: House panel apologizes to ABS-CBN employees over franchise challenge
“Due to the gravity of the allegations and its possible effects, the committee has deemed it appropriate to lay the groundwork for a possible inquiry in the spirit of public interest,” Poe said in a statement Thursday.
The resolution comes amid the recent controversial petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, who sought to nullify the network’s existing franchise due to its “highly-abusive practices.”
In his plea filed before the Supreme Court, the government’s top lawyer brought forward ABS-CBN’s alleged foreign ownership and operational issues as basis for the license cancellation.The media company has since denied the allegations.
Poe said the Senate inquiry “does not preclude any action” in other agencies, including at the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court.
Senator Grace Poe files a resolution asking the Senate to look into ABS-CBN's operations 'to determine compliance' with its existing franchise.
This follows Solicitor General Jose Calida's petition to void the network's franchise for supposed violations | @gergcahiles pic.twitter.com/zdcnxVqhPX
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) February 13, 2020
Meanwhile, the lower chamber has yet to calendar a hearing that will tackle the long pending measures—a total of eleven are pending before the committee level—on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. Some members said there has not been a green light from the House leadership regarding the issue.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, for his part, vowed the body will conduct “impartial” case proceedings, but failed to provide a specific timeline for when the hearings will be held.
Lopez-led ABS-CBN released a statement Thursday thanking lawmakers, other media outlets, its employees, and all others who expressed support to the network.
“Nagbibigay po sa amin ng inspirasyon at tibay ng loob ang mga pahayag ng suporta mula sa mga opisyal ng gobyerno, kapwa taga-media mula sa Pilipinas at ibang bansa, iba’t-ibang organisasyon ng industriya, akademya, simbahan, artista, mga Kapamilya, Kapuso, Kapatid, kaibigan fans, at mga manonood,” the statement read.
[Translation: This gives us inspiration and strength: all the support from government officials, those from the media both from the country and abroad, different organizations, the academe, the church, and artists.]
A broadcast industry group also released a statement Wednesday in support of ABS-CBN.
“The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) reiterates its continued support of the renewal of the Congressional franchise of ABS-CBN,” it said.
The KBP said the 17th and 18th Congresses have “acted favorably” on the franchise applications of their members — 45 applications have been enacted to law, while nine applications have been approved by the House legislative franchises committee.
“The KBP trusts that these pending applications will be favorably acted upon just like all other prior applications for renewal,” the group said.
CNN Philippines’ Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report
