Strict Regulations Pushed for New ABS-CBN Franchise; Coco Martin Defends ABS

A new 25-year operating franchise for ABS-CBN (ABS) was pushed in congress, but with a stringent set of regulations. The new bill by the administration of congressman Ron Salo, has described the rules as “parameters for compliance”. The bill includes heavy penalties for breaching its rules to the tune of owners and officers possibly being penalized, programs being suspended or the franchise being recommended for revocation by Congress. The bill also has requirements such as the media company has to ensure that 60% of their workforce are regular employees and would have to “promote positive Filipino values” under monitoring by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. The bill added that 10% of ABS ads would be alloted to the government for “public service time” which would require the network to come up with “reasonable and equitable” rates for campaign ads. The hearing is expected to resume on June 8, 1 P.M.

This follows the recent actions of Coco Martin, the leading man in ABS’s long-running show Ang Probinsyano. Soon after ABS was ordered to halt operations by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on May 5, Coco leapt to the defense of his network. His strong words on social media have driven mixed responses among Filipinos, who have taken to the internet and social media to show support or criticism of the young star’s actions. Timely names such as Yassi Pressman and Korina Sanchez have come to the star’s defense, stating he means well and that “his heart is in the right place.” Many other actors and actresses have also voiced their opinions on social media about the issue and shown their support for ABS-CBN, such as Kim Chiu, Janine Gutierrez and Maine Mendoza.