Cong. Alan Peter Cayetano admits the reason ABS-CBN franchise is not priority of the Congress

• Congress is still not discussing the ABS-CBN franchise renewal as there are allegedly more urgent bills they have to tackle.
• Netizens got furious and reminded Cayetano about how they were able to build their political dynasty.

ABS-CBN’s network franchise is set to expire this March 2020. The Senate headed by Sen. Grace Poe has already started the inquiry hearing on the franchise renewal of the network but the congress who should initially approve bills on the renewal of the franchise has still not started its session.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has repeatedly said the that ABS-CBN franchise renewal is not a priority of the congress. Still, several lawmakers hope to pass the ABS-CBN franchise renewal before the lenten break.

Laguna Representative Sol Aragones says that there still enough time. She also said that it will be the saddest chapter of her life if the franchise will not be renewed. The network was one who supported her family financially for it was her first formal job and her second home.

“Nakakaluwag ng damdamin nang malaman natin na tinanggap ng Pangulong Duterte yung paumanhin. Kakayanin naman yung mga huling araw at linggo sa congresso kasi iba  pa rin yung na renew yung franchise at mahahawakan yung franchise in the next two weeks na nasa congresso kami.”

Makabayan Partylist Ferdie Gaite and Sarah Elago also insist that the franchise renewal should be discussed and passed in the congress.

“We still have next week and the next to discuss these matters. At alam naman natin sa ating goberyerno, kung gusto may paraan kung ayaw isang million ang dahilan,” Gaite said.

“Dapat po huwag na po magsayang ng panahon at dapat po na ‘yan madinggin agad dahil wala namang assurance doon sa provisional franchise na hahayaang pa ngang magoperate itong ABS-CBN,” Elago said.

Albay representative Joey Salceda is confident that the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN will happen and he compared it to the newly approved franchise of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

“Ang mas good sign sa akin dahil ang CBCP nga ipinasa, eh mas grabe po ang away nila. So CBCP nga naapprove lalo na ang ABS,” Salcedo said.

But according to House Speaker Cayetano, the reason Congress has still not discussed ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal is that there are more urgent bills that the lower chamber has to tackle.

“Yes, there is a separation of power and the NTC is under the executive. But if the chief executive na ang nagsabing congresso magde-decide nyan. So respetuhin na lang ang desisyon namin to have fair hearings to listen to all sides and will do it as soon as possible which is I think sa May,” Cayetano said.

Meanwhile, netizens got furious and had to remind Cayetano how much ABS-CBN was able to help their family build their political empire.

Netizen Harvey Keh said in a post that Cayetano owes ABS-CBN for helping build their political dynasty.

You know whats really sad? Pag hindi dahil sa ABS-CBN wala sanang Cayetano ang nasa Senado o Kongreso ngayon. It was ABS-CBN who introduced Alan Peter’s dad, Companero Rene Cayetano to the nation by giving him a show in the 90s. Ngayon, ito igaganti ni Cayetano sa kanila.

— Harvey Keh (@HarveyKeh) February 24, 2020

Some of the netizens responded to his post saying Cayetano is a traitor as he is too obsessed with his personal grievances with the network.

I am really disappointed on this person because I love the humbleness of the late Sen. Rene Cayetano and I knew him as Companero. And please, let us not forget that his brother, Mayor Lito Cayetano, is a former director in ABS-CBN. The nerve to even say “sipsip”. Back to you po!

— Juvy Claire Enrile (@JuvyClairEnrile) February 24, 2020

Traidor yan si Cayetano. Si PNoy din ang tumulong sa kanya sa politika. Kung sasn makikinabsng si Cayetano, doon siya kakapit.#BoyKaldero

— Jessie Severino (@jessie_sev) February 24, 2020

ingrato naman si alan cayetano. para sa ambisyon at kasakiman, tatapakan niya kahit yung mga nakatulong sa kanya. tingnan ang ginawa sa LP at ngayon sa ABS. he’s a parasite. #CayetanoResign #InvestigateCayetanoCauldron

— PinoyAko (@pinoysiwowie) February 24, 2020