Lagman urges House to fast-track ABS-CBN franchise renewal

Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman on Thursday called on fellow representatives to fast-track ABS-CBN's long-term franchise so that it may resume regular broadcasts. 

Lagman said the House could have fast-tracked the pending bills on ABS-CBN’s franchise in the same way it fast-tracked House Bill 6732.  

"This kind of fast-tracking could have been done much earlier in the committee on legislative franchises upon the directive of the Speaker by considering and deliberating on the 12 bills proposing for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, " said Lagman on his official website. “Instead, the House leadership temporized action on the measures until the network’s franchise expired on May 4, 2020.” 

The House Committee of the Whole led by Speaker Alan Cayetano passed House Bill 6732 yesterday. 

The bill grants a provisional license for ABS-CBN to operate until October 31, 2020.. 

Lagman says the House must finish work on the 12 pending bills on ABS-CBN’s franchise before October 31.