House panel convenes on ABS-CBN franchise, five bills filed

The House legislative franchises committee is set to convene on Wednesday, February 5, despite the ongoing congressional break, to discuss ABS-CBN's status and consider five bills seeking a new franchise.

Ways and means chairperson Joey Salceda filed a bill nearly five years after its previous bid was denied under the Duterte administration, with other lawmakers also filing measures to revive ABS-CBN’s presence on free television since the start of the Marcos Jr. administration.

The committee will brief on the 'ABS-CBN application in light of the Philippine Competition Commission's report on alleged high market concentration in the broadcast industry.'

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez issued a motion urging the committee to conduct hearings despite the break, and Parañaque Rep. Gus S. Tambunting approved it.

NTC Deputy Commissioner Alvin Bernard B. Blanco confirmed during the hearing that there are available frequencies for ABS-CBN if Congress grants it a new franchise.