Compliance Yardsticks for ABS-CBN Franchise Renewal

REP. RON P. SALO, LLM, EdD
KABAYAN Party-list
Vice-Chair, Public Accountability, Public Information,
Human Rights, Government Reorganization, and Constitutional Reforms
0917-729-2437 | Twitter: @Kabayan_Ron

7 COMPLIANCE YARDSTICKS ON BROADCAST FRANCHISES PROPOSED BY KABAYAN PARTY-LIST SOLON

We heard the promises and undertakings of ABS-CBN officials to strive to be a better company. Yet, we cannot simply hold on to words they uttered for self-preservation.

We need a commitment to accountability that will truly transform this network as a responsible institution with a deeper responsibility in building this nation. Not all of the network officials before us today will always be here to ensure that a new 25-year franchise will indeed bring about and sustain this new age of responsibility and accountability. Surely, we cannot wait for another 25 years when they return to apply for renewal just to exact accountability as what we are doing in this hearing.

We need a mechanism to make sure that within the life of the franchise, responsibility and accountability must define the continuing relevance of the grantees.

HOUSE BILL 6901 – AN ACT GRANTING THE ABS-CBN CORPORATION (FORMERLY ABS-CBN BROADCASTING CORPORATION) A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN TELEVISION AND RADIO BROADCASTING STATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Thus, I respectfully propose the following seven (7) highly important parameters with which ABS-CBN shall be measured within the period of the franchise to be implemented by the NTC and other agencies of the government. Otherwise, the owners and officers may be penalized, or its programs may be suspended, or ultimately its franchise may be recommended to Congress for its revocation. These are specifically enumerated in House Bill 6901.

1. Strict compliance with the Constitution, laws, rules and regulations, including labor laws and standards

2. Promotion of employment and security of tenure

   

There shall be a ratio of 60%-40%, a minimum 60% permanent employees, and a maximum 40% of contractuals, casuals, job-orders, talents and independent contractors.

1. Ensure impartial and balanced reporting

ABS-CBN shall ensure that news and events are reported accurately and truthfully, and that all parties involved in such news and events are allowed equal time and opportunity for information-sharing.

1. Promotion of positive Filipino values

ABS-CBN must ensure that all its programs, including its talents and the languages used by its talents, promote positive Filipino values. The MTRCB shall actively monitor ABS-CBN’s compliance on this matter.

1. Provision of public service time

Ten percent (10%) of the paid commercials or advertisements shall be allocated based on need to the executive, legislative, judiciary, constitutional commissions and international humanitarian organizations duly recognized by statutes for free as already contained in other franchise laws of other grantees.

1. Strengthened self-regulation of contents

ABS CBN shall not allow to air speeches, plays, acts or scenes, or other materials through broadcast and/or telecast if the tendency thereof is to propose and/or incite treason, rebellion or sedition; or the language used therein or the theme or the behavior/action of talents is immoral or indecent.

1. Reasonable and equitable rates of election ads

Rates of election ads should be reasonably and equitably priced to allow all candidates, particularly those seeking national positions are afforded equal opportunity to present programs of government to the electorate. This will enable the electorate to arrive at an informed decision in choosing their leaders, and will remove the undue advantage of moneyed candidates over principled ones. The Commission on Elections shall implement this section.

I trust that this 7-point track shall be fleshed-out in an Institutional Plan of Action for Responsibility and Accountability (IPARA) that shall be crafted by NTC, in consultation with DOLE, MTRCB and COMELEC, which shall be used as a reference for regular monitoring and evaluation of performance of the network.
Ang mga alituntuning ito ay tungo sa mas maayos na pasada ng ABS-CBN sa himpapawid. At paminsan-minsan, maaari itong parahin sa tabi upang alamin kung ito’y nasa tamang ratsada pa.

I also filed House Bill No. 6902 which requires all franchise grantees of television and radio broadcast networks to comply with these parameters. Comply, or else, paparahin din natin sila. (END)