Analysis of ABS-CBN Franchise Renewal Case

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by Crizel M. Ventocilla

“Ang iyong franchise mag-extend next year. If you expect ma-renew ‘yan, I’m
sorry. I will see to it that you’re out.” -President Duterte (December 9, 2019)

This utterance of Pres. Duterte adds to the speculations that the President himself
exerts his powers to persuade the Congress to stop the franchise renewal of the network.

However, it is important to look at the following facts that encompass the issue for us
to be guided in analyzing.

1. Republic Act 7966

An Act Granting the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation a Franchise to
Construct, Install, Operate and Maintain Television and Radio Broadcasting
Stations in the Philippines, and for Other Purposes

“ABS-CBN’s current franchise, approved through Republic Act No. 7966 on

March 30, 1995 is set to expire on March 30, 2020.”

Analysis:
Citing the act that covers the franchise is indeed a clear evidence that the
franchise is definitely going to expire which is a huge ground for the network which
they can not deny. However, this is being given lots of reasons which are, if I may
conclude, not even connected to this legal issue including their rants on the
freedom of the press and the everyday companion of millions of Filipinos.

The franchise renewal of the network is still pending in Congress. According to

an article by Ranada (2019), if the bill renewing the franchise does not get signed
into a law, ABS-CBN would have to close down its radio and television operations.

2. Quo Warranto
 Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a Quo Warranto petition (Rule 66 of the
Rules of Civil Procedure) who accused the network of “unlawfully exercising
their legislative franchises”

Analysis:
Citing the Quo Warranto petition becomes a strong point in the article which
clearly denotes that the case is serious and legal. The sentence also stressed out
the unlawful exercise of the network’s legislative franchises including several
accuses from the President.

According to an interview by Karen Davila to President Spokesperson and Chief

Legal Counsel Secretary “Sal” Panelo, it is the congress which shall act on this
matter.

3. Claims of ABS-CBN
 Almost 11,00 employees will be affected by the shutdown of the network
wherein 6,730 are regular employees, 900 are non-regular, and 3,325 are
talents.

“Between 10,000 to 11,000 who depend on the Philippines’ largest television

network and its subsidiaries/sister companies including  ABS-CBN.com,
dzMM, TFC, Star Records, to name a few, for their bread and butter, will
 immediately lose their jobs or will indirectly be dislocated once its franchise is
denied,” the NUJP said.

Analysis:
Giving the huge number of employees who will be greatly affected by the
non-renewal of the network’s franchise is an attempt to make the people focus
on the negative effects of the case rather than the root of the case filed against
the network. This is one way of the network to gain sympathy from its viewers
without really discussing and making the viewers realize all the significant facts
of the case.