Rufus urges House to extend ABS-CBN franchise

CAGAYAN de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez urged the House of Representatives to renew ABS-CBN's franchise for another 25 years, pointing out that Congress should always uphold the freedom of the press.

In a statement, Rodriguez said the House Committee on Legislative Franchise should start hearings especially since the ABS-CBN's franchise will expire on March 30 while Congress will adjourn on March 11.

"ABS-CBN is Philippines' largest media conglomerate in terms of revenue, operating income, net income, assets, equity, market capitalization and number of employees," Rodriguez said.

He added that the media company has been "very big on corporate social responsibility", noting that the late Gina Lopez initiated Bantay Bata 163, Bantay Kalikasan, and Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig project.

At least 10 lawmakers from both the majority and the minority supports the move to renew ABS-CBN's franchise “as a show of multipartisan support in upholding the freedom of the press.”

President Rodrigo Duterte had repeatedly accused the network of biased coverage and failing to air a 2016 campaign advertisement despite being paid by his campaign.

Due to the President's tirades, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises has not acted on nine pending bills similarly proposing a 25-year extension of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

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