ABS-CBN, the largest television and broadcast network in the Philippines, will not be going back on air as lawmakers reject the application for the renewal of the franchise.
As early as February 2020, various school organizations and youth groups have taken to social media to issue statements in support of the Kapamilya network.
After a series of hearings in Congress, today, July 10, 2020, 70 members of the committee on legislative franchises from the House of Representatives voted "yes," in favor of denying the Kapamilya network's 25-year franchise renewal. Eleven senators voted no, while one abstained from the vote (two inhibited from voting).
Hours after reports circulated online, the UP College of Mass Communication issued a statement on their Facebook page.
"The country needs a free and unencumbered media at this time of crisis," part of the statement declared. "Given that ABS-CBN had the widest broadcast reach, Filipinos in far flung areas will be deprived of timely and useful information regarding the pandemic and calamity alerts."
Read the full post below:
What's next for ABS-CBN?
According to Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate in an interview with Inquirer.net, a member of the committee may still file a motion for reconsideration. However, "only a member who voted with the majority can vote for a motion for reconsideration,” Zarate said.
“The motion for reconsideration will be heard on the same meeting if it’s raised in the same meeting or if it is raised on the same day on writing, it should be calendared by the committee for a hearing.”
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