House committee OKs TV5 franchise renewal

MANILA, Philippines — The House Committee on Legislative Franchises approved yesterday the renewal of the franchise of TV5 for 25 years.

The television network’s franchise is expiring next year.

Reps. Romero Quimbo of Marikina and Xavier Jesus Romualdo of Camiguin authored the renewal bill, which the committee, chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, endorsed after a brief discussion.

In House Bill 8379, Quimbo and Romualdo said since it started operations, TV5 has provided viewers an “array of programming consisting of accurate news, wholesome entertainment, inspiring sports programs, and other informative and relevant services.”

“Today, more than ever, the country needs access to news, entertainment, sports, and information that will result in a more progressive, well-informed and inspired citizenship. TV5 remains committed in its quest to continue providing such programming to our countrymen, as broadcasting services are critical in nation-building,” they said.

They said if Congress renews its franchise, TV5 “intends to take advantage of new technologies as well as equipment available to provide for superior informative, entertaining and educational programs to its nationwide viewers.”

During the brief discussion on the bill, committee members urged the country’s third television network “to effectively compete with the broadcasting duopoly composed of ABS-CBN and GMA-7.”

TV5 president Vincent Reyes told the committee that when TV5 took over the former Association Broadcasting Corp. in 2009, it tried to compete on all fronts.

“But since 2016, we have been repositioning ourselves largely as a news and sports platform, where we hope to be No. 1,” he said.

GMA-7 had its franchise renewed in 2017. The renewal bill for the franchise of ABS-CBN, filed during the Aquino administration, is still pending with the Alvarez committee.

Sources said the renewal bill would not move unless ABS-CBN threshes out its issues with President Duterte, who has repeatedly threatened to block its approval.