House Ways and Means Committee Chairperson Joey Salceda has formally filed a bill in the House of Representatives seeking to grant ABS-CBN Corporation a new legislative franchise. This move could potentially allow the media giant to resume its television and radio broadcasting operations in the Philippines after losing its franchise in 2020.
House Bill No. 11252, introduced during the 19th Congress’ third regular session, aims to provide ABS-CBN with a franchise to construct, install, operate, and maintain television and radio broadcasting stations nationwide. The explanatory note accompanying the bill highlights the significant impacts of the network’s shutdown, emphasizing the role ABS-CBN played in public information and disaster risk reduction strategies.
“The non-renewal of the franchise cost some 11,000 direct jobs,” Salceda pointed out in the explanatory note. He added that the lack of a reliable information source during critical times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, “caused thousands of new infections” due to information asymmetry.
ABS-CBN’s franchise was denied renewal in June 2020 by the House of Representatives under the 18th Congress, citing alleged violations, including issues of foreign ownership and tax liabilities. However, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) clarified that the company did not violate ownership restrictions or have pending tax liabilities. Despite these clarifications, the denial led to the shutdown of the network’s free-to-air operations, significantly reducing its reach and impact.
Prior to the franchise rejection, ABS-CBN was a critical source of news for approximately 36% of Filipinos, particularly in rural areas, where its regional network provided updates on impending disasters and other important events. Salceda’s bill urges Congress to reconsider the previous decision, stating that the renewal would address the gaps in public service left by the network’s closure.
“In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is urgently sought,” Salceda concluded in the bill’s explanatory note.
The filing of this bill reignites the debate over press freedom and media independence in the Philippines. It remains to be seen how the current Congress will act on Salceda’s proposal and whether ABS-CBN will be given another chance to regain its position as a major player in the country’s media landscape.
