Malacañang: No reason to veto ABS-CBN franchise renewal

Malacañang says President Rodrigo Duterte sees no reason to veto the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN should Congress approve it.

“Unless there is any constitutional infirmity, I don’t think the president is inclined to veto it. Sinabi ng presidente na ‘neutral ako diyan at gawin niyo ang trabaho niyo base sa inyong konsensya’ (the president said he is neutral on it and wants you to do your job based on your conscience) ,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

He added that Duterte has already left the decision to Congress, which will not turn a blind eye to the issue. 

He also cited Section 16 of Executive Order No. 546, which says the president could be held liable for graft if he influences the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on the matter. 

“Ito ang dahilan kung bakit lahat ng issues ng NTC ay sa hukuman dinadala at hindi sa Office of the President (This is why issues for the NTC are brought to court and not to the Office of the President) … I think the matter should be left answered by the Congress,” Roque said.

Meanwhile, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez said he was saddened by the closure of ABS-CBN, which he called his home in the entertainment industry.

“Hopefully matugunan na kahit provisionary lang ibigay sa kanila para sila ay mag ere (Hopefully even a provisionary permit could be given so they could air) ,” Gomez said.

Gomez said some of his friends from the network who lost jobs are already asking for his help.