MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights expressed deep concern on the reported move of the House of Representatives to “freeze” the bill that seeks to renew the legislative franchise of media and entertainment giant ABS-CBN Corp. The franchise of ABS-CBN expires in 2020. The STAR added the House Committee on Legislative Franchises did not submit a report on the franchise bill before the 17th Congress adjourned its third and last session. In August last year, President Rodrigo Duterte said he was personally against the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise as he accused the media company of swindling him. There are no excuses to circumvent the standards enumerated in the bill of rights especially by those duty-bound to uphold it,” De Guia said.

Source: Philippine Star June 14, 2019 05:25 UTC