MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has postponed the hearings on the franchise of media giant ABS-CBN until next week. We need more time [to] submit documents and [study the] documents,” Alvarez told reporters in a text message. Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza earlier dubbed the House inquiry on the ABS-CBN franchise a “fishing expedition,” adding it had been among the lengthiest legislative exercises in the chamber. Further, he pointed out that franchise renewal hearings should not be “investigative” and “prosecutorial.”To push the hearings along, Atienza said Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano can nudge the majority of the lawmakers in the lower chamber to put ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal to a vote. The House has been tackling the franchise of ABS-CBN, which expired last May 4.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 22, 2020 11:26 UTC