MJ MONDEJAR
“ANG message ko lang, we’re not taking any chances here but nor are we letting ABS- (CBN) off the hook just like that because it’s not about the president ‘di ba? it’s really about the responsibility of a network if we give them a 25-year franchise.”
Ito ang mensahe ni House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano para sa ABS- CBN Corp. ngayong hindi pa gumagalaw sa Kongreso ang kanilang franchise mahigit isang buwan bago mapaso sa Mayo.
Ayon kay Cayetano, hindi sila kontra sa ABS- CBN at wala ring dahilan para magsara ang network kahit mapaso na ang prangkisa ng kumpanya subalit kailangan ng Kongreso ng sapat na panahon para talakayin ang lahat ng isyu laban sa giant network.
“Di ba sinabi ko naman from the start May latest August but now na lumalabas na lahat ng issue at matatapos naman namin lahat ng mga importante ngayong next 6 days, then wala namang dahilan na hindi kami maghi-hearing sa May ‘di ba? Remember I could’ve told you next year na ‘yan or after… kapag hindi na ako speaker, I did not, I told you the next available time na matatapos natin na hindi maapektuhan ‘yung priorities ng 18th Congress,” pahayag pa ni Cayetano.
Nilinaw din ng House Speaker na nirerespeto nito ang concurrent resolution na inihain sa Kamara at Senado pabor sa pagpapalawig ng franchise ng ABS- CBN pero sapat na aniya ang kautusan nila sa National Telecommunications Commission o NTC na bigyan ng provisional authority ang giant network.
Pero ang tanong? Gagana kaya ang direktiba ng Kamara gayong may separation of powers ang Kongreso at ehekutibo kung saan bahagi ang NTC.
“The statement of the president that now it’s now up to Congress, strengthens our position that NTC will abide by our letter because yes there is a seperation of power and the NTC is under the executive but it’s the chief executive na ang nagsabing “Kongreso ang magde-decide niyan” so respetuhin na lang ang desisyon namin to have fair hearings, to listen to all sides, and we’ll do it as soon as possible which is I think sa May. So in the meantime, I think it strengthens our position that NTC should give them provisional authority within the rules to operate,” ayon ito sa sagot ng House Speaker.