Naglabas ng official statement ang ABS-CBN hinggil sa espekulasyon kaugnay ng hinihinging franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN upang patuloy na makapag-operate ang kanilang broadcasting station—mapa-telebisyon man o sa radyo.
Kaugnay ito ng lumabas na news report ng The Philippine STAR, noong June 12, na may headline na "House freezes ABS-CBN franchise bill, firm takes movies to China market."
Nakasaad dito na naka-freeze sa Kongreso ang House Bill No. 4349, na layuning ma-renew ang prangkisa ng Kapamilya network bago ito mag-expire sa March 2020.
Sa pamamagitan ng disclosure form ng Philippine Stock Exchange, inihayag ng ABS-CBN ang kanilang "clarification" tungkol sa lumabas na ulat.
Ito ay matapos daw manghingi ang Philippine Stock Exchange ng "request for confirmation" sa isyu.
Sagot ng Kapamilya network:
"ABS-CBN is unable to clarify or comment on the article as it is neither the source of the said news article nor is it privy to any claims expressed therein. Thank you."
WHAT IS HOUSE BILL NO. 4934?
Ang House Bill No. 4934 ay tinatawag ding "AN ACT RENEWING THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO ABS-CBN CORPORATION (FORMERLY ABS-CBN BROADCASTING CORPORATION) UNDER REPUBLIC NO. 7966 OR 'AN ACT GRANTING ABS-CBN BROADCASTING CORPORATION A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN BROADCASTING STATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" FOR TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT.'"
Isinumite ito ni Nueva Ecija Second District Representative Micaela Violago sa Kongreso, noong November 2016.
Sabi sa isang bahagi nito:
"In acknowledgement of ABS-CBN's accomplishments and the capital requirements of its operations, the immediate renewal of its original franchise which expires on March 30, 2020, is recommended to ensure the uninterrupted and improved delivery of its services to the Filipino people.
"This bill aims to renew ABS-CBN's right to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations in the Philippines through microwave, satellite or whatever means, including the use of new technologies in television and radio systems.
"This bill has been filed in the 16th Congress by Rep. Georgidi B. Aggabao and it is hoped that it will see passage in the 17th Congress."
Sa panahong tumakbo ang 17th Congress—mula July 25, 2016 hanggang June 3, 2019—nanatiling pending ang status ng House Bill No. 4349.
CONGRESS SESSION RESUMES ON JULY 22
Sa presscon ng news anchors at reporters ng Dobol B Sa News TV nitong Huwebes ng hapon, June 13, nagbigay ang GMA-7 news reporter na si Divine Reyes ng maiksi ngunit malinaw na eksplanasyon tungkol sa nabinbing house bill para sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN.
"Kailangan pong i-refile kasi nagsara na po yung 17th Congress. So ire-refile siya sa 18th po," pagtukoy ni Reyes sa 18th Congress na magsisimula sa July 22.
Sa madaling salita, dagdag ni GMA-7 news anchor Mike Enriquez: "Yung Congress, hindi inaksiyunan yung franchise.
"That means kailangan i-refile yun. Yun ang sistema."
Sa oras na makapag-file ulit ng House Bill para sa renewal ng franchise for broadcast ang ABS-CBN, doon pa lang malalaman kung ano ang magiging status nito, bago mag-expire ang prangkisa ng network sa March 2020.