These 46 congressmen will decide on ABS-CBN franchise renewal

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives is set to close the panel hearings on Monday, July 6, on ABS-CBN's alleged violations, a determining factor for embattled network's franchise renewal.

These 46 congressmen will decide on ABS-CBN franchise renewal

The decision whether to grant or deny the 25-year franchise to ABS-CBN Corporation lies in the hands of 46 congressmen, under the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.

UPDATES

With the aid of Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, the House hearing led by Palawan Rep. Franz “Chicoy” Alvarez, aims for fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough investigation.

On Monday, the last day of the hearing, the following congressmen will weigh on the importance of ABS-CBN as the network having farthest and widest reach across the archipelago, pioneer and with huge investment on digital television, jobs of 11,000 worker to include those from its subsidiaries, and impact to the economy if Kapamilya Network entirely shuts down.

READPOLL RESULTS: 92-percent believe ABS-CBN deserves fresh franchise

They are expected to set aside political bias on their decision for the common good amid the coronavirus pandemic.

UPDATE: Aside from the 46 members of the Committee on Legislative Franchise, House leaders or ex-officio members will also vote for the first reading at the committee level.

NO. NAME DISTRICT VOTE
1 Abante, Bienvenido Jr. M. Manila, 6th District NO
2 Aragones, Sol Laguna, 3rd District NO
3 Bolilia, Lianda B. Batangas, 4th   District NO
4 Bordado, Gabriel Jr. H. Camarines Sur, 3rd District NO
5 De Venecia, Christopher V.P. Pangasinan, 4th District NO
6 Hataman, Mujiv S. Basilan, Lone District NO
7 Maceda, Edward Vera   Perez Manila, 4th District NO
8 Quimbo, Stella Luz A. Marikina City, 2nd District NO
9 Santos-Recto, Vilma Batangas, 6th District NO
10 Tejada, Jose "Ping-Ping" I. North Cotabato, 3rd District NO
11 Zarate, Carlos Isagani T. Party List - BAYAN   MUNA NO
12 Abu, Raneo "Ranie" E. Batangas, 2nd District YES
13 Abueg-Zaldivar, Cyrille "Beng" F. Palawan, 2nd District YES
14 Acosta, Gil "Kabarangay Jr." A. Palawan, 3rd District YES
15 Albano, Antonio "Tonypet" T. Isabela, 1st District YES
16 Alfonso, Samantha Louise Vargas Cagayan, 2nd District YES
17 Arroyo, Juan Miguel Macapagal Pampanga, 2nd District YES
18 Bagatsing, Cristal L. Manila, 5th District YES
19 Baronda, Julienne "Jam" L. Iloilo City, Lone District YES
20 Barzaga, Elpidio Jr. F. Cavite, 4th District YES
21 Bautista, Claudine Diana D. Party List - DUMPER PTDA YES
22 Bondoc, Juan Pablo "Rimpy" P. Pampanga, 4th District YES
23 Castelo, Precious Hipolito Quezon City, 2nd District YES
24 Chipeco, Joaquin Jr. M. Calamba City, Lone District YES
25 Collantes, Ma.Theresa V. Batangas, 3rd District YES
26 Crisologo, Anthony Peter "Onyx" D. Quezon City, 1st District YES
27 Duterte, Paolo Z. Davao City, 1st District YES
28 Dy, Faustino Michael Carlos III T. Isabela, 5th District YES
29 Dy, Faustino V "Inno" A. Isabela, 6th District YES
30 Dy, Ian Paul L. Isabela, 3rd District YES
31 Estrella, Conrado III M. Party List - ABONO YES
32 Fariñas, Ria Christina G. Ilocos Norte, 1st District YES
33 Fernandez, Dan S. Laguna, 1st District YES
34 Fernando, Bayani F. Marikina City, 1st   District YES
35 Ferrer, Luis IV   "Jon-Jon" A. Cavite, 6th District YES
36 Garcia, Pablo John F. Cebu, 3rd District YES
37 Garin, Janette L. Iloilo, 1st District YES
38 Garin, Sharon S. Party List - AAMBIS-OWA YES
39 Gatchalian, Weslie Valenzuela City, 1st District YES
40 Gonzales, Aurelio Jr.   "Dong" D. (Allan Ty) Pampanga, 3rd District YES
41 Gullas, Eduardo "Eddie" R. Cebu, 1st District YES
42 Hernandez, Ferdinand   L. (J. F. Nograles) South Cotabato, 2nd   District YES
43 Herrera-Dy,   Bernadette "BH" Party List - BH YES
44 Hofer, Ann K. Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District YES
45 Lacson-Noel, Josephine Veronique R. (A. Calixto) Malabon City, Lone District YES
46 Madrona, Eleandro Jesus F. Romblon, Lone District YES
47 Malapitan, Dale "Along" R. Caloocan City, 1st District YES
48 Mangudadatu, Esmael G. Maguindanao, 2nd District YES
49 Marcoleta, Rodante D. Party List - SAGIP YES
50 Martinez, Eric M. Valenzuela City, 2nd District YES
51 Mendoza, Raymond Democrito C. Party List - TUCP YES
52 Nieto, John Marvin "Yul Servo" C. Manila, 3rd District YES
53 Nograles, Jericho Jonas B. Party List - PBA YES
54 Oaminal, Henry S. Misamis Occidental,   2nd District YES
55 Paduano, Joseph   Stephen "Caraps" S. Party List - ABANG LINGKOD YES
56 Palma, Wilter "Sharky" II Wee Zamboanga Sibugay, 1st District YES
57 Pichay, Prospero Jr. A. (Gonzales, Sandro ) Surigao del Sur, 1st   District YES
58 Pimentel, Johnny Ty   (F. Matugas) Surigao del Sur, 2nd District YES
59 Pineda, Enrico A. Party List - 1-PACMAN YES
60 Puno, Roberto V. (Mike Defensor) Antipolo City, 1st District YES
61 Remulla, Jesus Crispin C. Cavite, 7th District YES
62 Revilla, Strike B. Cavite, 2nd District YES
63 Romero, Michael L., Ph.D. (F. Datol) Party List - 1-PACMAN YES
64 Romualdez, Ferdinand Martin G. Leyte, 1st District YES
65 Romualdez, Yedda Marie K. Party List - TINGOG SINIRANGAN YES
66 Romualdo, Xavier Jesus D. Camiguin, Lone District YES
67 Savellano, Deogracias Victor "DV" B. Ilocos Sur, 1st District YES
68 Siao, Frederick W. Iligan City, Lone District YES
69 Singson, Jose Jr. "Bonito" C. Party List - PROBINSYANO AKO YES
70 Sy-Alvarado, "Kuya" Jose Antonio R. Bulacan, 1st District YES
71 Tan, Sharee Ann T. Samar, 2nd District YES
72 Teves, Arnolfo Jr. "Arnie" A. Negros Oriental, 3rd District YES
73 Tolentino, Abraham "Bambol" N. Cavite, 8th District YES
74 Unabia, Christian S. Misamis Oriental, 1st District YES
75 Valeriano, Rolando M. Manila, 2nd District YES
76 Villafuerte, Luis   Raymund Jr. "LRay" F. Camarines Sur, 2nd District YES
77 Villar, Camille A. Las Piñas City, Lone District YES
78 Yap, Eric Go Party List - ACT-CIS YES
79 Yu, Divina Grace C. Zamboanga del Sur, 1st District YES
80 Mercado, Roger G. Southern Leyte, Lone District YES
81 Tan, Alyssa Sheena P. Isabela, 4th District YES
82 Vargas, Alfred D. Quezon City, 5th District INHIBITED
83 Violago, Micaela S. Nueva Ecija, 2nd District INHIBITED
84 Garbin, Alfredo Jr. A. Party List - AKO BICOL ABSTAIN

The Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability is headed by Bulacan First District Representative Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado with its vice chairpersons Cavite Seventh District Representative Jose Crispin Remulla and ANAKALUSUGAN Partylist Representative Michael Defensor.

Before the much-awaited verdict, the Lower House will tackle the allegations on media bias of ABS-CBN at 1:00 pm on Monday.


In the previous hearings, the House investigated the media conglomerate's ownership concerns, citizenship of ABS-CBN chairman emeritus Gabby Lopez, legalities of ABS-CBN's issuance of PDRs or Philippine Depositary Receipts, network closure during Marcos regime and return to the Lopez family and the constitutional 50-year limit on congressional franchise.

Also tackled in the previous hearings were the blocktime agreement with AMCARA Broadcasting Network and the alleged labor and tax issues.

Same with the result of Senate hearing in February this year, government agencies such as Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Labor and Employment and Bureau of Internal Revenue said that ABS-CBN did not have violations.

At least 11 bills already sought for the renewal of ABS-CBN franchise, but those remain pending before the House committee on legislative franchises. In December 2019, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said they will no longer tackle the franchise renewal bills for the remainder of the year, saying there will be “more than enough time” for deliberations in 2020.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on May 5 issued cease and desist order following the expiration of ABS-CBN Corp. franchise. The network immediately complied to the rule and signed off the air at 7:52 pm following the news program TV Patrol.

The CDO covers 42 television stations operated by ABS-CBN across the country, including the main ABS-CBN Network, ABS-CBN Sports and Action, ten digital broadcast channels, 18 FM stations, and five AM stations.

On June 13, cable-and-satellite channel named Kapamilya Channel was launched resuming the productions of ABS-CBN's dramas and live entertainment shows and airing its entertainment, educational and current affairs programming, along with temporary movie blocks.

On June 30, the NTC and Solicitor General Jose Calida issued an alias CDO to stop operations of ABS-CBN TV Plus for its digital free-to-air channels on UHF Channel 43 in Metro Manila and some provinces. The agency also issued CDO against Direct Broadcast Satellite Service of ABS-CBN's affiliate Sky Cable Corporation.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will tackle on July 13 ABS-CBN's request for temporary restraining order (TRO) to void the cease and desist order of the NTC so it can be back on air as soon as possible.

ABS-CBN Corp. President and CEO Carlo Katigbak released statement to express his gratitude to those who believe that ABS-CBN is deserving to continue providing public service to the Filipinos.

I would like to thank everyone who has encouraged us, prayed for us, and given us hope over these past few weeks. Your messages have given us strength as we go through this difficult process. We are hopeful that the hearings will soon come to a close, and we would like to lean on you again for your support and prayers. We have always considered ABS-CBN first and foremost a public service. You are our reason for being. If you believe our service to be important and valuable to you, and if you believe that ABS-CBN is deserving to continue providing that service, please let your thoughts and feelings be heard. Thank you always to you, our dearest Kapamilya.

— The Summit Express



Add a comment here (0)
Previous Post Next Post