Salceda: ABS-CBN franchise renewal ensures competition, access to info
HOUSE Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda of Albay has filed House Bill (HB) No. 11252, renewing the ABS-CBN franchise for another 25 years.
Salceda emphasized the importance of competition in the dissemination of ideas and its impact on public access to information.
“I filed House Bill No. 11252, renewing the ABS-CBN franchise for another 25 years. I believe that the free market of ideas requires competition. A virtual monopoly will not do, as far as disseminating ideas and keeping the public informed is concerned,” Salceda stated.
The lawmaker also highlighted ABS-CBN’s significant role in providing news and information to his home province of Albay.
“I also owe it to Albay. ABS-CBN remains the single most important news source in Albay, despite its lack of a franchise,” Salceda explained.
Salceda pointed out that government agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), have already cleared ABS-CBN of allegations against it.
“The SEC and BIR have cleared ABS-CBN of the allegations against them. I was a former co-author of their franchise in the past Congress.
You will remember that I even warned against the franchise rejection on grounds that it will add to COVID-19 infections due to lack of information,” Salceda recalled.
In concluding, Salceda reiterated his commitment to supporting ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal as a matter of principle and responsibility.
“I saw adding my name to the list of principal authors this time as a way to add my voice to what is clearly the right thing to do,” Salceda said.
Salceda’s filing of the bill affirms his stance on ensuring a robust and competitive media landscape while prioritizing the public’s right to information.
