Lacson, Sotto favor renewing ABS-CBN franchise ‘to enhance competition’

By: Christia Marie Ramos - Inquirer.net | April 05,2022 - 04:38 PM

Lacson ABS-CBN

Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III during a press conference in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureau

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — The tandem of Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III are in favor of renewing the franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.

“Yes, not for anything, but to enhance competitiveness or competition,” Lacson told reporters in a press conference here on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, when asked if he is in favor of renewing ABS-CBN’s franchise.

“Kasi dati dalawa ‘yung [Before there were two] TV networks, of course may [there is] SMNI, TV5, CNN, marami pang iba pero magbawas ka ng isa, mababawasan ‘yung [and others, but take out one, it would lessen the] competition,” he added.

Lacson also acknowledged the role of the media in exposing abuses in the government.

“Dapat i-enhance natin ‘yung [We should enhance the] participation ng [of] mass media in our society. Kasi kayo ‘yung watchdog, hindi ba [Because the media is the watchdgo, right]? Siguro kung walang media, mas maraming [Maybe if there’s no media, there would be more] abuses. That’s a fact,” the presidential candidate said.

Sotto agreed: “Like 1972…Maraming[many]  abuses, walang [no] media.”

READ: Fast Facts: The Marcos martial law regime

The Senate president went on to say that he is in favor of renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN, citing a bill he earlier filed in the Senate to revive the network’s franchise.

ABS-CBN’s franchise expired in May 2020 and the National Telecommunications Commission directed the network to stop operating its free television and radio broadcasting stations.

When ABS-CBN’s franchise expired, its franchise application was still pending before the House committee on legislative franchises, which denied its renewal in July 2020.

Since ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal was denied in the House, the Senate could not act on it as franchise bills should first be approved in the lower chamber.

READ MORE:

Lacson claims ‘Oplan Wasak’ being hatched vs him by groups backing another bet

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Read Next

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.

TAGS: ABS-CBN franchise, May 2022 elections, Philippine politics

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. To find out more, please click this link.