ABS-CBN will play big role in Election 2022: Zarate

In the coming elections, ABS-CBN will still play a big role even if it is not given a new franchise, according to Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate.

“Napakalaki ng papel na gagampanan ng ABS-CBN. Hindi naman kaila na ang ABS-CBN talaga ay isa sa pinakamalaki, kung hindi man siya, ang pinakamalaking network sa buong bansa,” he said.

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According to Zarate, the Kapamilya network has become the medium of free information to reach Filipinos. At a time when “fake news” is rampant, he said Filipinos especially need independent media.

“Kaya naman talagang ipinaglaban natin na hindi ito maisara at ma-renew ‘yong kaniyang prangkisa,” said Zarate.

Zarate was 1 of 11 lawmakers who voted to grant a congressional franchise to ABS-CBN after its franchise expired on May 4, 2020.

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On July 10, 2020, the Chamber rejected the company’s application for the new franchise. About 70 lawmakers agreed with the resolution of the technical working group that recommended not giving the franchise to ABS-CBN.

As a result, thousands of employees lost their jobs, and some businesses of ABS-CBN Corp also had to close.

ABS-CBN will play big role in Election 2022: Zarate

“Hindi lang ito usapin between ABS-CBN at ang estado. Usapin din ito sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag, kalayaan sa malayang impormasyon na dapat makarating sa ating mga mamamayan para sa kanilang informed decision in all affairs of government,” said Zarate.

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In Election 2022, Filipinos will choose who will replace President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte has threatened several times that he will shut down ABS-CBN after he did not like the campaign ads against him that appeared in 2016.

His administration was also angry with ABS-CBN’s coverage of Duterte’s drug war in which more than 7,000 people have been killed.

In September 2020, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has removed the assigned frequencies or signals and channels from ABS-CBN Corporation two months after they failed to get another franchise in the House of Representatives.

In a decision issued on September 9, 2020, the NTC has revoked all assigned frequencies on ABS-CBN radio and TV stations due to the lack of a “valid legislative franchise.”

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