This could have been avoided had Congress, particularly the House of Representatives, done its job.|Under the 1987 Constitution, only Congress can issue legislative franchises to broadcast companies. Several bills have already been filed in Congress for the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise. The NTC cannot issue a franchise, and it is still not settled if it indeed has the power to grant an extension. But Congress, particularly the House, dilly-dallied, hemmed and hawed, and procrastinated for some reason that only its leaders can divine. The only valid explanation for this odd behavior in the House is that it has deliberately delayed action on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s broadcasting franchise.

Source: Manila Times May 13, 2020 16:17 UTC