Updated — Two of Palawan’s three congressional representatives had voted to kill the franchise application of TV network giant ABS-CBN during a swift voting conducted by the House of Representatives Friday on the joint committee report rejecting the network’s franchise bid.
Rep. Gil Acosta, Jr., 3rd district Palawan, in an interview with Palawan News, confirmed he cast a “No” vote and vowed to explain his position on the issue at length on Saturday.
“Yes. Tomorrow na lang ako papa-interview [medyo] mahaba ang explanation,” he said. Acosta was referring to the joint committee report recommending the rejection of the network’s franchise application.
Rep. Cyrille Abueg-Zaldivar could not be reached by Palawan News as of Friday, even as her name was included in the list of those who voted No by several national news media.
1st District Rep. Franz Josef Alvarez, who chairs the franchise committee, said he did not vote, citing the parliamentary rule that he may only vote in case of a tie.
“Hindi po ako nag-vote. Ang chairman kasi will vote in case of a tie lang. Pang tie-breaker lang ako,” Alvarez told Palawan News.
The voting Friday afternoon was preceded by a total of 13 hearings amidst the expiration in May of the network’s franchise.
About Post Author
