Manila, Philippines – Albay Representative Joey Salceda has filed a bill in the House of Representatives seeking to grant a new franchise to ABS-CBN Corporation.
In his House Bill 11252, Salceda urged Congress to reconsider its decision and renew ABS-CBN’s franchise after its shutdown in 2020.
Salceda emphasized that ABS-CBN did not violate ownership and tax regulations, based on previous House deliberations.
The bill also stated that the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise resulted in the loss of 11,000 jobs and caused a shortage of trusted news sources, such as the network.
According to the document, before the closure, 36% of Filipinos relied on ABS-CBN for news and entertainment, and its extensive network was crucial for disseminating information, especially during calamities.
Meanwhile, the network expressed gratitude for Salceda’s support and also acknowledged other lawmakers who filed similar bills, including Makabayan bloc representatives France Castro, Arlene Brosas, and Raoul Manuel.