Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13) — House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano maintained that Congress simply had to end the privilege of one family following the lower chamber’s rejection of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
In a Facebook post on Monday, days after the House panel voted not to grant the Lopez-owned media network a new franchise, Cayetano defended the decision of his colleagues, who were mostly allies of the administration.
“For those who continue to push the freedom of the press card, Congress is not stifling the right of any journalist, host, commentator, talent, or employee of ABS-CBN — or any Filipino for that matter — from criticizing the government,” Cayetano said.
“We simply put an end to the privilege of one family in using a public resource to protect and promote their private interests,” he added.
Despite the 11,000 ABS-CBN employees who may soon be rendered jobless, Cayetano maintained that the administration wants “better and equal opportunities for all” which, to him, will not be possible with an economy controlled by “less than 20 families in a country of 110 million Filipinos.”
The Speaker, who was President Rodrigo Duterte’s vice presidential running mate in 2016, even compared the issue with the passing of the Anti-Terrorism Law, supposedly aimed to also address “the same fundamental injustices.”
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, one of the 11 lawmakers who voted for the franchise renewal, said that while he respects Cayetano’s remarks, the results of the hearing still “did not sow compelling reasons” to deny ABS-CBN of a franchise.
“Ultimately, we will be judged by our people, and history, for that matter by the choices we made on this very crucial issue in the midst of a severe crisis we are facing now,” Zarate told CNN Philippines.
Voting 70-11 on Friday, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises adopted the report of its technical working group not to grant the network a new franchise, due to supposed violations on ownership, labor practices, and tax obligations, among others.
As of Monday, no one from the 70 congressmen has filed a motion for reconsideration on the panel’s decision.
According to Section 40 of the House rules, a member of the committee who voted with the majority may move for its reconsideration during the same day or succeeding day after the meeting.
The House has still withheld to date the official list of lawmakers who voted against the franchise, which have alarmed some congressmen. Members of the media have been asking for the official list since Friday.
Zarate said there is no reason to withhold release of the list, as it is part of official public proceedings.
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said congressmen should have reminded themselves of their roles as representatives of their constituents, not of their personal grievances against the network.
Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor previously said they spent over a hundred hours in the franchise deliberations overall. However, some congressmen used the time to accuse the network of “cyberbullying” and “unfair reporting,” among others.
Malacañang insisted that it had no hand in the decision of the committee, despite Duterte publicly threatening to shut down the network in the past for allegedly refusing to carry his 2016 campaign ads.
READ: TIMELINE: ABS-CBN franchise
The network said it will continue to deliver news through the limited platforms available to them.
CNN Philippines Correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report.
