Senator Grace Poe still believes that the Senate still has the power to decide to give franchises to companies like the television network giant ABS-CBN.
On a statement, Poe who’s the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services pointed out that the constitution gave a power to them to decide over franchises despite the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida against ABS-CBN to the Supreme Court.
“I think this is not just an issue of a franchise but this is in a broader stroke, a concern for fair and sound business practice, press freedom, and jobs for all the employees of the television network,” Poe said.
“As the Constitution mandates, the Senate’s jurisdiction over franchises remains despite the existence of the petition,” she added.
According to Poe, they’re still going to discuss why ABS-CBN’s franchise deserved to be canceled in a “fair and deliberative manner”.
In another interview, she wanted more explanation about the unfair practices mentioned by the Solicitor General in his petition.
“Para sa akin, hindi naman tayo lahat santo. Wala namang perpektong kooperatiba o kompanya, lahat ay may pagkakamali. So siguro sa mga pagkakamali na iyon dapat madetalye kung anu-ano ang mga ‘yan, kung ano ang angkop kaparusahan,” she said.
“Pero ito ba ay nangangailangan ng pagkansela? Kaya nga ito ay isang bagay na akin talagang pinagaaralan at para sakin, ang pinaka-importante dito ay dapat magkaroon ng patas na pagbusisi at pandinig, sa Kongreso man o sa hudikatura,” she added.
Poe owns the family rights to the movie, “Ang Probinsiyano” which became one of the longest series of ABS-CBN when they revived it.