Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Thursday denied he is playing politics when he proposed a resolution asking Congress to grant a three-year extension for ABS-CBN Corp.’s franchise, saying he just wants fellow lawmakers to consider the 11,000 employees that would lose their jobs should the network’s franchise is abruptly ended.
“They said, vote according to your conscience. Hopefully their conscience will bother them if 11,000 employees would lose their job. Somebody said yesterday that I am playing politics by proposing a three-year extension,” Drilon said in an interview over ANC Headstart.
“I say that if trying to save the jobs of 11,000 employees is politics, then I admit I am playing politics. I do not think that’s the motive. I think we should not attribute motive to fellow legislators,” Drilon said.
On Monday, the Senate committee on public services chaired by Sen. Grace Poe will start hearing on the ABS-CBN’s franchise, amid concerns over the House leaders’ refusal to take up the various bills pending at the lower chamber.
Drilon said House lawmakers’ belief that ABS-CBN can continue operating as a broadcast station beyond the May 30, 2020 is not true.
“No. That is a view expressed by politicians or lawmakers on the floors of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Supreme Court ruled that a franchisee cannot anymore operate as a broadcast station if there is no longer a franchise. Of course, there is this view but you are taking the risk that the SC will rule otherwise, as it has ruled in some cases,” the minority chief explained.
“I am just saying that I do not want to risk the livelihood of 11,000 ABS-CBN employees on a theory that ABS-CBN and its 11,000 workers can continue after March 30 without a franchise.
“Let me make it very clear, once enacted, our joint resolution has the effect and force of a law and it must be approved by the President,” Drilon stressed. (Hannah Torregoza)
