President Rodrigo Duterte still in his stand of threating to refuse the franchise renewal of the giant television network ABS-CBN.

During his speech before the newly-appointed officials in Malacañang on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, Duterte recall again of his former statement telling the audience that ABS-CBN television network cannot expect from him to renew franchise once it expires in March 2020.

“If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan (franchise), I am sorry. I will see to it that you are out,” Duterte said.

Duterte’s former statement threating to hinder the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise is linked to the issue for not airing his 2016 election advertisement and for alleged biased reporting.

In Congress, the bills passed to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise has no movement in the House Committee on Legislative Franchises under the supervision of Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, the panel’s chair, who refuse to take any action to discuss the renewal of contract.

In addition to that, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who was the running mate of Duterte last 2016 elections, expressed his sentiment that he had personal objections to the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN but he also assured that the House of Representatives under his leadership would be “fair” to the broadcast giant.

Under the Philippine Constitution, television as well as radio broadcasters are required to secure a franchise from Congress, in compliance to Republic Act No. 3846.

Watch video of President Duterte pronounce refusal of ABS-CBN Franchise renewal