ABS-CBN Franchise Renewal Should Be Expedited

On May 5, 2020, officially went off the air and ceased operations after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease-and-desist order to the media giant.

Then on July 10, 2020, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises voted to reject the company’s bid for a new 25-year franchise citing several reasons such as tax and labor violations, issues with foreign ownership, and the dual citizenship of Mr. Eugenio Lopez, ABS-CBN’s chairman.

Since then, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, and Macabayan bloc members have all filed bills calling for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

With the shutdown of ABS-CBN during the height of the pandemic, an estimated 11,000 workers and families were affected.

In the last few office days of former President Rodrigo Duterte, he has publicly admitted to influencing members of Congress during the franchise renewal deliberation of ABS-CBN.

With the promise of a new administration, the most recent filling of renewal should be expedited and prioritized by the legislative branch of government.

The Philippine economy is still reeling from the massive blows of the ongoing pandemic and its citizens are feeling the brunt of the burden. On top of this, we have oil prices reaching record levels, high inflation rates, and an impending food crisis.

The renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise would mean providing jobs for thousands of families.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the unemployment rates

Sources: Philippine News Agency, CNN Philippines,  Rappler,  Inquirer,