Quezon City, Philippines — January 7, 2025
Representative Joey Sarte Salceda of the 19th Congress has introduced House Bill No. 11252, seeking to grant ABS-CBN Corporation a new legislative franchise to operate television and radio broadcasting stations in the Philippines. The bill aims to restore the network’s ability to deliver critical news, entertainment, and disaster-related information to Filipinos nationwide.

Rationale Behind the Bill

In his explanatory note, Congressman Salceda highlighted the adverse consequences of the network’s franchise non-renewal in 2020, which resulted in the loss of approximately 11,000 direct jobs. He also pointed out the detrimental effects of the network’s absence, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, where information asymmetries allegedly led to thousands of additional infections.

Citing data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the congressman underscored that ABS-CBN did not violate ownership restrictions or have pending tax liabilities at the time of the franchise hearings. Despite these certifications, the franchise was denied renewal, which Congressman Salceda argued was a significant blow to the public’s access to reliable information and entertainment.

Impact on Public Services

According to Salceda, before its shutdown, ABS-CBN provided critical news coverage, with 36% of Filipinos relying on the network for information on natural disasters, emergencies, and public health crises. The network’s extensive regional reach made it a vital resource for localized disaster risk reduction strategies, particularly in rural areas.

Call for Reconsideration

The proposed bill seeks to address the alleged injustices surrounding the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise and to recognize the network’s importance in delivering timely, accurate, and life-saving information. Salceda emphasized that the network’s contributions to public service far outweigh the controversies that led to its closure.

“In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is urgently sought,” Salceda stated in his filing.

Next Steps

House Bill No. 11252 will undergo committee hearings and deliberations before it can proceed to plenary debates. The outcome of this legislation will significantly shape the future of media freedom and public service broadcasting in the Philippines.

Congressman Salceda’s move is expected to reignite discussions on press freedom, corporate accountability, and the role of media in a democratic society. Observers await whether the network will finally regain its broadcasting rights under the current Congress.
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