Photo from Philstar and ABS CBN |
Former senator
Antonio Trillanes is dismayed by the decision of the House of Representatives’
to reject the franchise application of the media giant ABS CBN.
In a
Twitter post, Trillanes lamented that another pillar of democracy has fallen following
the decision of the House panels.
“It is a
sad day for press freedom. Another pillar of our fragile democracy has fallen,”
the former mutineer said
“Now, if we
really want to save our country, kailangan nating maging matapang.
#TindigPilipinas,” he said.
After 12
hearings the House Committee on Legislative Franchises on Friday rejected the
franchise application of the ABS-CBN Corporation.
This, after
the House Committee on Legislative Franchises adopted a resolution — based on
the work of a hastily formed technical working group — denying the franchise
application of ABS-CBN Corporation to construct, install, establish, operate
and maintain radio and broadcasting stations in the Philippines.
Seventy
congressmen upheld the resolution and rejected the franchise bills while the 11
“negative” votes sought to grant the Kapamilya network a new congressional
license to operate a broadcast network.
According to
a report by Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN network started
seeking the House of Representatives’ approval of a new franchise during the
16th Congress, during the administration of then-President Benigno “Noynoy”
Aquino III, a known ally of the media giant.
During the
hearings, lawmakers played key roles in presenting flaws and violations of the
franchise license allegedly committed by the ABS-CBN management. The lawmakers
were Deputy Speaker and Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta; Deputy
Majority Leader Crispin Remulla (NP, Cavite) and Reps. Mike Defensor
(Anakalusugan); Eric Go Yap (ACT CIS Party-list); Abraham Tolentino (PDP-Laban,
Cavite); and Claudine Bautista (DUMPER PSTD).
Meanwhile,
the defense panel includes Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Rep. Carlos Zarate
and Reps. Rufus Rodriguez (Independent, Cagayan de Oro City); Edcel Lagman
(Independent, Albay); and Sol Aragones
(NPC, Laguna).
Damaging
issues raised against ABS CBN that hinder its chance to remain alive are the
accusations of tax avoidance schemes, its “less than exemplary” treatment of
workers, and allegations of biased reporting and meddling in political affairs.
Despite
earning billions in annual revenues, ABS-CBN reportedly paid an income tax of
P563.01 million over a three-year period from 2017 to 2019. While its main rival network, GMA 7 gave
government P3.13 billion during the same period.
The alleged
tax avoidance scheme was done through the setting up of the Big Dipper Corp.,
which took advantage of the tax incentives offered by the Philippine Export
Zone Authority.
Labor
complaints were also cited during the hearings by its former employees, that
were mostly triggered by the alleged failure of the network to regularize them
despite the long years, they have served the network.
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