A vote for to grant television network ABS-CBN a provisional franchise is a vote for the people, as it provides them with a source of timely, accurate information needed in the midst of crises such as the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
This according to House Tourism Chair Rep. Sol Aragones, who on Monday voted in favor ofHouse Bill Number 6372which grants a provisional franchise to ABS-CBN and will allow the network to operate until the end of October this year.
“HB No. 6372 provides us with a means to satisfy the needs of our people for more information.”
The lawmaker stressed that the pandemic “highlights the need for more––not fewer––sources of information.”
“If the past two months have taught us anything, it is that while the world has yet to develop a foolproof cure for the virus that has already claimed the lives of over eight hundred of our countrymen, we already have an effective remedy for the anxiety, fear, and ignorance that has plagued these uncertain times: timely, relevant, and accurate information––information that must be properly communicated by tested and proven networks like ABS-CBN,” explained Aragones.
Aragones, who worked as a news reporter for ABS-CBN before winning a seat in Congress in 2013, also said: “as someone who has worked side-by-side with the 11,000 employees of ABS-CBN, I can attest to the fact that these are dedicated individuals who should be allowed to continue doing work in the service of the Filipino.”
The Laguna native also said that “as someone who works side-by-side with the legislators in this chamber, I can likewise attest to the fact that ours is an institution that takes its role in tackling the issues involved in granting franchises very seriously––also, in the service of the Filipino.”
“In the service of the Filipino” is the slogan of the network, which was founded in 1953. It was ordered to cease operations by the National Telecommunications Commission when its franchise expired on May 4.
The legislator pointed out that HB No. 6372 “provides us with a means to satisfy the needs of our people for more information, to ensure the continued employment of 11,000 of our countrymen, and to fulfill our responsibilities as representatives of the people.”
“These, Mr. Speaker, are why today I cast my vote in favor of House Bill Number 6372––and urge the leadership of the House and my colleagues to act on the ABS-CBN franchise bills before the term of this provisional franchise ends on October 31,” added the solon.
“Boto po ito para sa kapamilya; boto po ito para sa kapakakan ng ating mga kababayan.”