ABS-CBN File

Rep. Joey Salceda has filed a bill aiming to bring ABS-CBN back on air. If you recall, the House of Representatives denied the network’s bid for a franchise renewal back in July 2020, causing a major stir and leaving many viewers without one of their favorite sources for news and entertainment.

So, what’s the scoop this time around? Salceda’s proposed bill would grant ABS-CBN the green light to construct, install, operate, and maintain TV and radio broadcasting stations across the Philippines. It's like hitting the reset button for the media giant.

In his explanatory note, Salceda made some strong points. He mentioned that both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) had previously cleared ABS-CBN of any violations or tax issues. Yet, despite the clean slate, the franchise wasn't renewed, which resulted in a whopping 11,000 direct job losses. Ouch.

But there's more to it than just jobs. Salceda also highlighted how the absence of ABS-CBN left a significant information gap, particularly during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the loss of this critical information source may have contributed to thousands of new infections during that tumultuous time. Before the franchise was pulled, about 36% of Filipinos relied on ABS-CBN for their news and entertainment, not to mention its extensive regional coverage that played a vital role in disaster risk reduction efforts.

Given these points, Salceda is urging Congress to reconsider the previous decision and grant ABS-CBN a fresh start. If the bill passes, we might see the network’s return, bringing back not just a beloved media outlet but also a critical channel for information, especially in times of crisis.