MANILA – ABS-CBN denied sending an emissary to offer members of the House of Representatives P200 million in exchange for a “yes” vote for the network’s franchise renewal.
In a statement, the network denied the allegation that they were approaching lawmakers ahead of the scheduled voting today by members of House committees on legislative franchises, and good government and public accountability today.
“ABS-CBN did not send an emissary to bribe any lawmaker to vote in favor of our franchise application,” the statement read. “We believe in the process and we have participated in the process. We answered all issues raised in the past 12 hearings.”
ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Go Yap revealed Thursday that an alleged emissary from ABS-CBN have urged him to vote in favor of the network’s franchise renewal in exchange for money.
“More than two weeks ago, may tumawag sa atin, nagpakilalang emisaryo ng ABS-CBN at hinihimok tayong bumoto pabor sa ABS-CBN kapalit ng P200 million. Simple lang ang sagot ko, hindi for sale ang prinsipyo at boto ko,” Yap said.
He added that he just disclosed the incident to highlight that he would not release unverified information that may affect the ongoing proceedings of ABS-CBN during that time and in connection with his criticism on the proliferation of fake news.
“Nilabas ko ba sa media? Hindi. Dahil hindi tayo sigurado kung emisaryo nga ng ABS-CBN ‘yun at unfair naman na malalagay sa alanganin ang pangalan ng ABS-CBN,” Yap said.
Yap also slammed reports on the alleged pressure on his colleagues to vote against ABS-CBN as well as the exposure of an alleged list of lawmakers’ votes even when it was clear that voting had yet to be conducted.
“Why use unverified information? Do not mislead the public,” Yap said. “Press freedom is alive to the point that it’s being abused for personal interest but it is also the responsibility of our journalists to deliver the truth.”
If approved, the bill granting ABS-CBN a new franchise will be presented to the plenary for deliberations and voting for the second and third reading./PN
