Senator Kiko Pangilinan on Wednesday said he supports the bill filed by Senate President Tito Sotto granting ABS-CBN a new 25-year franchise.
“Sa mga nakalipas na buwan, nakita natin ang kahalagahan ng ABS-CBN lalo na kapag may bago o anumang kalamidad. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, umaasa ang ating mga kababayan sa radyo at TV para sa mga impormasyon na nakakaligtas ng buhay at kabuhayan,” Pangilinan said.
On January 4, Sotto filed Senate Bill 1967 which seeks to grant ABS-CBN’s franchise for 25 years.
Pangilinan said he will co-author the measure.
He said part of the reason that the pandemic has not been put under control in the Philippines is the lack of an information network that gives accurate and timely facts and stories to help people make sound decisions.
Pangilinan noted that it has been months since the House committee on legislative franchises voted to deny the 25-year franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN on July 10 “amid the country’s struggle with the devastating effects of unemployment and decline in economic activity brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“Magandang balita ito hindi lang sa 11,000 empleyado ng ABS-CBN na nawalan ng trabaho nang ipagkait ang franchise. Magandang balita rin ito sa buong bansang uhaw na uhaw sa tamang impormasyon,” he said.
“Deserve nating lahat ang tamang impormasyon. Ibalik ang trabaho ng mga kawani ng ABS-CBN. Bigyan ng franchise ang ABS-CBN,” Pangilinan said.
