Rep. Sy-Alvarado advises ABS-CBN to “sincerely apologize” to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to resolve the network’s franchise issue

Bulacan First District Representative Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Legislative Franchises, was one of the 70 lawmakers that voted ‘YES’ to deny ABS-CBN a new congressional franchise.

The announcement of votes ended the joint panel hearing of the Committee on Legislative Franchises and the Committee of Good Governance and Public Accountability which lasted for 12 weeks.

Rep. Sy-Alvarado was asked what it means that the Congress “has laid the request on the table” during the live broadcast. The request basically meant that the application for a new franchise was “killed” as ordered.

Rene Sta. Cruz questioned Rep. Sy-Alvarado about the franchise application on Super Radyo DZBB aired July 10 a few minutes after Congress gave the decision.

“Ibig sabihin ba nito, hangga’t nakaupo si Presidente Duterte ay wala ring prangkisa? Kailangan ng bagong administrasyon upang madinig ulit ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN?” he asked.

Rep. Sy-Alvarado responded saying that the issue might be resolved if “ABS-CBN will sincerely apologize to the president.”

He also said that President Duterte is “merciful” and “kind-hearted”, as he cited MERALCO and the Ayalas.

“Kung makikilala si Pangulong Duterte, malambot ang puso ng pangulo, madali siyang maawa,” he said.

“Di ba nga, tignan natin ang MERALCO, at mga Ayala, sinasabi ng pangulo noon na ipapasara niya, at galit na galit siya, pero ngayon tignan mo, nagpapasalamat siya at nag-apologize,” he added.

The first legislative district of Bulacan includes the City of Malolos, and the municipalities of Bulakan, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong, and Pulilan.