MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has set the first public hearing on the renewal of the franchise of broadcasting network ABS-CBN on Feb. 27, ahead of the transmission of a counterpart bill from the House of Representatives, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said yesterday. The hearing will be led by the Senate committee on public services, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe. Pending discussion of the ABS-CBN franchise, Poe said traditionally, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) can issue a provisional franchise, just like what happened in the cases of giant telecommunications companies Smart and Globe. Poe clarified that the Senate respects the mandate and authority of the House of Representatives, from where franchise bills should emanate. The senator also expressed hope that the House will immediately act on the ABS-CBN franchise before the Senate goes on recess on March 12.

Source: Philippine Star February 17, 2020 16:25 UTC