THE PHILIPPINE STAR
10
me ro
EDITOR: DULGE
Lawmaker seeks deliberations,on ABS-CBN franchise renewal
A lawmaker yesterdaY asked
the House o( Representatives to
start deliberations on measures
seeking renewal of the ABS-CBN
franchise.
Cagayan de Oro ReP. Rufus
Rodriguez, one of the ProPonents
of thebills, urged the House com-
mittee on legislative franchises to
conduct the hearing when session
resumes nexl week after the holi-
break.
day-"Time
is of dre essence because
A SAIIGHEZ
WEDNESDAY I JANUARY 'I5, 2O2O I
ABS-CBN's franchise will exPire lesislative franchises, said the is not a right but a privilege," he
oointed out.
on March 30. Congress will ad- neiwork's franchise is a "mafler of '
privilege and not a right." Aside from Rod irguez,ll law-
ioum on March 11," he said. ' Alvirez said the constitutional
Rodriguez, chairman of the makers, who are allies of the
administration, fi led bills suP-
committee on constitutional risht to oress freedom is irrelevant
amendments, said the television to"the issue and should not be porting ABS-CBN's aPPlicaiion
for franchise renewal.
network's franchise should be 'tackled d uring Congress delib-
renewed as a matter of right. erations. lresident Duterie has main-
tained his opposition to the re-
"Congress must uPhold the "There is no attemqtto mtzzle
_
newal of the network's franchise
Constitution to ensure press tree- -or control the media here. So this
is not a Dress freedom issue. We ut-rJ *"" tofa it" owners to iust sell
dorn," he said'
Palawan ReP. Frarz Alvarez, should 6e reminded that under the company.
- Edu PunaY
who chairs the committee on the law, the grant of a franchise
Fae P