No ABS-CBN shutdown: Alan Cayetano assures Kapamilya network will remain on air but schedule of hearings unsure

ABS-CBN will not shut down when its franchise expires on May 4, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Wednesday (April 29).

Cayetano, however, could not say when the House of Representatives will start hearings on the network’s franchise renewal bid as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected Congress’ priorities.

“Actually dapat on May 4 or 5 may hearing na but what we want to, gusto naming paabot sa lahat ng viewers ng ABS-CBN, DZMM, sa lahat po ng mga empleyado, sa mga stars, directors, wala pong move na isara ang ABS-CBN,” he said in an interview over dzMM radio.

Cayetano said before Congress went on break in March that the House legislative franchises committee might start hearing ABS-CBN’s application for a new franchise when sessions resume on May 4.

The Speaker said he will talk to senators Thursday (April 30) on how to proceed with ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal bid.

The House has ordered the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to give ABS-CBN provisional franchise so its operations can continue after May 4.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)