Poe, Pangilinan reiterates Senate jurisdiction over ABS-CBN franchise

February 10, 2020

Senators Grace Poe and Francis Pangilinan on Monday reiterated the Upper House has jurisdiction over the franchise of the ABS-CBN.

This came as Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warrantuo petition to revoke the ABS-CBN franchise before the Supreme Court.

''As the Constitution mandates, the Senate's jurisdiction over franchises remains despite the existence of the petition,'' said Poe in a statement.

Pangilinan, in a separate statement said Congress has the duty to give due process to ABS-CBN's application for franchise renewal.

''We are mandated under the law to give proper course to any application, which Congress has granted smoothly to other networks,'' said Panglinan, citing Republic Act 3846.

''Complaints against the network should be formally lodged before Congress to be tackled in the hearing, giving opportunity for all sides to be heard,'' he added.

''While networks are here for profit, they also exist for public service and as watchdog of government. Their continued operations should not be at the mercy of the government in power that they seek to guard,'' said Pangilinan.

Poe said the Senate ''will not pre-empt the Court from resolving questions raised to it.''

''In any case, every franchise undergoes a public hearing and I intend to tackle these issues in a fair and a deliberative manner,'' she added.

Poe said she hopes the Supreme Court '' will decide on the basis of fairness and for the interest of the greatest number of people.''

I think this is not just an issue of franchise, but this is in a broader stroke, a concern for fair and sound business practice, press freedom, and jobs for all the employees of the television network,'' she said. DMS