Broadcast media giant ABS-CBN Corporation thanked members of the House of Representatives for taking the initiative to renew its bid for a fresh legislative franchise.
In a statement published on its news website on Tuesday evening, the Kapamilya network welcomed this development, as announced by House Ways and Means Committee chairperson Rep. Joey Salceda of Albay.
“While we were not aware of Rep. Joey Salceda’s filing of a bill to grant a broadcast franchise to ABS-CBN today (Tuesday), we are deeply grateful for his support and belief in ABS-CBN’s contributions and mission to serve the Filipino public,” ABS-CBN said.
“We would also like to express our sincerest thanks to Reps. Gabriel Bordado Jr., Arlene Brosas, France Castro, Raoul Manuel, Johnny Pimentel, and Rufus Rodriguez, who have previously filed similar bills,” it added.
Salceda filed a bill to grant ABS-CBN a new franchise to operate in the next 25 years, saying he owed it to his constituents, who rely on the network for information, especially during times of disasters.
“I believe that the free market of ideas requires competition. A virtual monopoly will not do, as far as disseminating ideas and keeping the public informed is concerned… I also owe it to Albay. ABS-CBN remains the single most important news source in Albay, despite its lack of a franchise,” he said.
ABS-CBN’s franchise expired on May 4, 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It lost its bid for renewal after not gaining enough votes from legislators at the time, largely due to the influence of then President Rodrigo Duterte, who publicly declared his disapproval of the network.
