Philippine lawmakers near vote on fate of network that clashed with Duterte

By Karen Lema and Neil Jerome Morales
MANILA, July 9 (Reuters) - Philippine lawmakers concluded a
hearing on Thursday on the license renewal of top broadcaster
ABS-CBN, paving the way for a critical vote on whether a major
media group that angered President Rodrigo Duterte should be
allowed back on air.
The telecom regulator ordered ABS-CBN ABS.PS and its 21
radio and 38 television stations to cease operations on May 5,
after the lower house failed to conclude hearings on renewing
its 25-year license before it expired.
ABS-CBN's fate rests with one committee that must decide on
a franchise renewal that Duterte has threatened to block during
repeated public outbursts at ABS, which stemmed from its failure
to air one of his paid 2016 election commercials. ABS-CBN has
since apologised.
House speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who was Duterte's running
mate, said the committee could now make a "legally and morally
sound decision" after 12 hearings.
Cayetano said, however, that ABS-CBN had used public
airwaves to further its agenda, like promoting its preferred
election candidates. The network says its reporting is
"accurate, fair and balanced."
He stressed the issue was not about media freedom, hitting
back at critics who accuse the president's allies of punishing
ABS-CBN, at a time when legal cases mount against another news
organisation, Rappler, whose gritty reporting has riled Duterte.
The vote is expected as early as Friday and will be closely
watched as concern grows about human rights and media freedom
under Duterte in one of Asia's most liberal democracies.
It follows a guilty verdict in a recent libel case against
Rappler chief Maria Ressa, and the passing of a sweeping
anti-terror law that critics say will be used to target
Duterte's opponents.
Dozens of activists gathered outside Congress in support of
the 66-year-old broadcaster and its 11,000 staff, many holding
placards saying "VoteYestoABSCBN", "Defend Press Freedom" and
"Fight For Freedom and Democracy".
Many Filipinos depend on free TV and radio for news and
entertainment and ABS-CBN says it reaches 70% of the 107 million
population.
Congressman Mark Go said a franchise must be "swiftly
granted" because ABS-CBN was a vital public service during a
health crisis, while representative Rodrigo Abellanosa said
failure to do that would be "tantamount to curtailment of the
freedom of expression".

(Editing by Martin Petty)