Charles Teves
Three agencies will be summoned by the House of Representatives “in proper time” should they sleep on the issue surrounding the new deal between ABS-CBN and TV5, according to SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta.
“In proper time, siguro ganun ang mangyayari,” Marcoleta said in a radio interview.
The agencies involved include the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Marcoleta cited concerns about the new deal that could violate specific laws of the country.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo member was against ABS-CBN’s bid for franchise renewal.
“Sa totoo lang, maliwanag na nagkasala sila, kaya sila nawala ng prangkisa,” Marcoleta said.
“Kasi kung bigla na lang lumitaw yan at hindi man lang naabisuhan yung dapat abisuhan at hindi kumibo yung dapat kumibo, eh magiging kataka-taka naman kung bakit nangyari,” he explained.
Marcoleta suggested that the PCC should further scrutinize the partnership, which could result in a “monopoly.”
So far, the NTC has been “playing deaf” on the ABS-CBN-TV5 deal, said the solon.
He is also frustrated with the BIR for doing nothing after the House discovered the alleged tax obligations of ABS-CBN
“‘We will look into this allegation.’ Eh wala naman kaming nakita eh,” he said.
“Sana huwag na tayo mapunta sa ganun [na ipapatawag]. Ngayon pa lang sana tignan natin,” Marcoleta furthered.
Netizens think the hatred Marcoleta has for ABS-CBN is intriguing.
https://twitter.com/Shxtarooo/status/1557938618177503232?s=20&t=y2oq-D15Ve17XT1N_debEA
Marcoleta is really going all out on ABS. Ipinasara na mo nga pinapakialaman mo na naman ang merger. The devil is not sleeping.
Mag serbisyo ka naman sa mga Pilipino hindi para sa mga pulitiko at kulto.
— Yann (@yanncas627) August 10, 2022
One netizen said that a monopoly would never happen, given that ABS-CBN doesn’t have a franchise.
Actually nalilito na rin si Marcoleta. Kasi to begin with, wala namang franchise ang ABS-CBN. Secondly ang TV5 limited ang reach. If there's such thing as TV monopoly nowadays the clear choice is GMA. From being the 2nd largest network no. 1 na sila dahil off-air na ang ABS.
— Vin #NeverAgain #NeverForget🎗️ (@iamartian0407) August 12, 2022
Congrats to ABS CBN.
BTW Marcoleta hindi po monopoly kasi hindi naman number 1 si ABS CBN ngayon. Lahat ng TV ads nasa GMA. Anu ang competition dun? Tapos may ibang mga TV channels pa. At may streaming pa. And social media. So many ways to get information and ads.
Heller.
— LenyTL (@lenytl) August 11, 2022
Some think he is obsessed with the network but couldn’t figure out exactly why.
Bakit ganun ang habol ni Marcoleta sa ABS CBN?
Dati ba syang nag-audition na di nakapasa?— Jlrch Beltran (@jlrchdxmrkbltrn) August 12, 2022
