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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Conscience vote' on ABS-CBN franchise renewal, says Roque

'Conscience vote' on ABS-CBN franchise renewal, says Roque

Published Jul 7, 2020 04:56 pm

President Duterte has left it to lawmakers to make a conscience vote on the franchise renewal application of ABS-CBN network, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.(CAMILLE ANTE / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.
(CAMILLE ANTE / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

"Members of Congress can vote according to their conscience dahil siya po ay neutral (because the President remains neutral)," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during a televised briefing.

Roque noted that the President had also accepted the apology of ABS-CBN president Carlo Katigbak over a dispute on a political advertisement during the 2015 campaign.

On allegations that lawmakers were trying to interfere with how ABS-CBN should conduct its reporting, Roque said it was prudent to just respect the power of the Lower House on whether or not to renew the franchise of the network.

"Neutral po siya. Vote according to your conscience," Roque insisted about the President’s position on the network’s franchise issue.

Lawmakers are set to conclude its hearings on the franchise bid of ABS-CBN this week.  The network’s top executives have been grilled in recent days over many issues including the reported dual citizenship of ABS-CBN Chairman Emeritus Eugenio Lopez III and alleged labor violations of the media company. 

The country’s biggest broadcasting network went off the air after National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist order last May 5 over lapsed franchise. 

Prior to Katigbak’s apology, President Duterte openly declared that he would block the franchise renewal of the network, even urging its owners to just sell the company. He previously complained about the network’s alleged refusal to air his paid campaign advertisement in the 2016 elections.

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