If the Lopez family of ABS-CBN were still owners of Maynilad Water Services Inc.,there is no way the House of Representatives could have handed it a renewed legislative franchise like what the chamber did on Tuesday, August 3.
ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro gave this assessment of the alleged railroading by the Lower House of the bill proposing a renewal of the legislative franchises of Maynilad and the Manila Water Company.
Castro was among the seven solons who rejected the legislative franchise bills which they assailed for being allegedly passed via “unconscionable railroading.” On Tuesday, the Lower House voted 206 for and seven against in approving on third and final reading two bills granting the two water concessionaires fresh 25-year franchise renewal.
Castro decried the refusal of the House leadership to subject the two franchise bills to committee and plenary deliberations, saying that in so doing, the legislative chamber has denied millions of Metro Manila folk their right to access better water supply service at reasonable cost.
Compared to the process of granting legislative franchise application of the ABS-CBN broadcast network, Maynilad’s franchise renewal had been guaranteed for approval as soon as the bill was filed, Castro believed.
“Ikumpara natin ito sa ibang franchise bills: mas mahaba at mas mabigat ang pinagdaanan ng ABS-CBN sa buong proseso ng franchise nito kaysa sa buong proseso na niregalo sa mga oligarko ng Maynilad at Manila Water na namamayani sa bisness ng tubig (Compare this to other franchise bills: ABS CBN underwent longer and a more difficult process for its franchise than the what was granted to oligarchies of Maynnilad and Manila Water that have lorded it over in the business of water),” Castro stated in explaining her “no” vote during the third and final reading voting for the two legislative franchise measures.
“Their difference? ABS-CBN is NOT a friend of the administration,” stressed the opposition lawmaker.
Last year, several bills proposing to extend the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN were rejected in the Lower House, resulting in the closure of the erstwhile network giant.
The rejection was blamed on President Rodrigo Duterte’s accusations that the Lopez-owned network was prejudiced against his presidential bid in 2016.
“If Maynilad is still owned by the Lopez family, I don’t think it will get a franchise renewal,” said Castro.