Nasa Saligang Batas: First step for ABS-CBN franchise is with House, Ping says

The first step for ABS-CBN to get a franchise lies with the House of Representatives. No less than the 1987 Constitution decrees it.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said this Wednesday amid calls for the Senate to “do something” about the broadcast giant’s franchise issue.

“Unlike any ordinary measure, the Senate can’t initiate plenary action unless the House of Representatives approves their version of a franchise bill and transmits the same to us. Art VI, Sec 24 of the 1987 Constitution so provides,” Lacson said in a post on his Twitter account (https://twitter.com/iampinglacson/status/1257884492674433025).

Under Art. VI, Sec. 24 of the Constitution, all “appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of the public debt, bills of local application, and private bills shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments.”

On Tuesday evening, ABS-CBN’s television and radio stations signed off, in compliance with an order from the National Telecommunications Commission.

The NTC order stemmed from the absence of a valid congressional franchise as provided by law. ABS-CBN’s franchise expired on May 4.

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