MANILA, Philippines-The return of the ABS-CBN franchise seems to be “cooked” in the Senate and the House, according to Volunteer Against Crime and Corruption or VACC.

Because of this, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, chief legal counsel of VACC, told the two houses of congress to first postpone any plenary action on controversial Senate Bill 1530 filed by Senate Minority leader Franklin Drilon and House Bill 7923 filed by Rep. Joy Tambunting.

Topacio made the statement because it is expected that next week the Senate will discuss Drilon’s proposal to amend Section 18, Book VII, Chapter 3 of Executive order 292 which states that “the franchise or license that needs a congressional grant will not expire as long as the franchise or license holder makes “timely and sufficient application for the renewal of a license or franchise xxx until the application shall have been finally determined by the xxx branch of government that grants or renews such xxx franchise.”

SB 1530 was filed by Drilon on May 13,2020, but Topacio said that on the same day HB 7923 was also filed by Parañaque Rep. Joy Tambunting who is said to be a producer on ABS-CBN from 1988 to the late 90’s and was also appointed as one of the administrators of the top-rated entertainment content of the said station.

At the congressional hearings held for the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise, Topacio said that lawmakers who support the station have repeatedly argued to allow the operation to continue while the issue of renewal is being discussed, even after its expiration has passed. ..

Topacio explained that this is also the same provision found in the proposed amendment by Drilon and Tambunting even though he insists that the said legal position cannot be maintained due to the doctrine of “no franchise, no operation” based on the case of Associated Communications v NTC decided in 2003 that Chief Justice Reynato Puno was the constituent.