House rejects ABS-CBN franchise renewal

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly rejected ABS-CBN's franchise renewal application with a vote of 70 to 11, deeming the media giant "undeserving" of the 25-year extension plea.

Critics, including Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch, view the rejection as a grievous assault on press freedom, with Robertson comparing it to actions during Ferdinand Marcos's martial law.

Robertson described the vote as an "astounding display of obsequious behavior by congressional representatives, kowtowing to Duterte by agreeing to seriously limit media freedom in the Philippines."

Several authors of the bills that would have granted ABS-CBN a franchise, such as Representatives Rufus Rodriguez and France Castro, slammed the committee's decision.

Rodriguez stated that the rejection is "a big blow against press freedom in our country and deprived millions of Filipinos of new, entertainment and assistance!"

Castro asserted that the vote reflected the Duterte administration's "determination to shut down ABS-CBN, the largest media network," and to "silence all its enemies, critics, and dissenters."

ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak expressed hope for the future, stating, “Kapit lang, muling magliliwanag ang kwento ng bawat Pilipino."

ABS-CBN News chief Ging Reyes noted that any closure of a media outlet impacts press freedom, emphasizing the need for multiple voices and perspectives.