No Chance For ABS-CBN Renewal Even In 2022
NO CHANCE FOR ABS-CBN – The largest media network in the Philippines may not be given a chance to revive itself even in 2022.
According to Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, the government plans to give the frequencies to a “more deserving” applicant. The question would now be who that applicant is.
During the hearing for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal, Marcoleta said that broadcast frequencies are limited resources. Moreover, he emphasized that these frequencies that the government allocates to those who “deserve it”.
READ: Duterte To ABS-CBN: Just Sell The Network
Additionally, he talked about the idea that ABS-CBN’s previous frequency might now be available in 2022, the year of the next election. Based on an article from Philstar, Marcoleta stated:
Pano kung may binigyan na ang gobyerno? Anong franchise pa ang ibibigay mo sa kanya (ABS-CBN).
I cannot speculate. It’s up to them (ABS-CBN) what’s their next move. As for them filing another bill, there’s no way.
Why would you process the application from the same organization when it was rejected already?
Marcoleta is a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo. As per the article, he was “rumored” to be lobbying for the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise. However, these are merely speculations. With that, Spokesperson Alan Peter Cayetano denied:
Rumors of threats and intimidation coming from certain groups, even linking it with specific religious organizations, and congressional leaders.
Meanwhile, some speculate that Davao business tycoon Dennis Uy’s plan to enter the media industry would coincide with ABS-CBN’s franchise denial.
Back in 2016, Uy was one of the big businessmen that backed the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Uy formed Udenna Communications Media and Entertainment Holdings Corp., which ISM media described as:
the parent entity that holds the Udenna Group’s shares in telecommunications, media and entertainment businesses
Is this going to be the network that Marcoleta said would be “more deserving”?
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