Rappler's latest stories on ABS-CBN franchise
What you need to know about people's initiative
People's initiative is an exercise of 'power of the people' to enact laws, but it entails a long and expensive process

[OPINION | Just Saying] Constitutional prerogative gone wrong
'The denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise application resonates with all of us: our job security, our freedom of information, expression, and the press and, our fundamental right to know and be happy'

Cayetano on ABS-CBN: 'Reclaiming patrimony from oligarchs'
A blow to press freedom? Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano says killing the ABS-CBN franchise is all about ending 'the privilege of one family'

What is the Kapamilya Channel and where can you watch it?
ABS-CBN continues to air select programs – albeit in a limited capacity

Dugo ng 11,000 nasa kamay ng 70 mambabatas
Huling ipinasara ang ABS-CBN nang idineklara ang Martial Law sa bansa noong 1972, pero ngayon, testamento ito sa pag-iral ng 'virtual martial law'

IN PHOTOS: ABS-CBN workers, supporters stage noise barrage to protest franchise denial
Over 11,000 jobs are suddenly at risk after the country's largest media network is denied a new franchise by a House committee

'Hindi ka namin iiwan': Kathryn Bernardo pens note to ABS-CBN after House vote
'Kami naman ngayon, hayaan mong kami ang magbigay ng liwanag sa 'yo sa panahong pinaka-kailangan mo kami,' says Kathryn

Bacolod youth, campus journalists show solidarity with ABS-CBN
'Today, we grieve. But tomorrow, we make sure that truth and democracy shall continue to live,' the young rallyists say

LOOK: UAAP athletes pick custom jersey messages for press freedom
The UAAP is just one of many leagues left homeless after lawmakers voted to keep ABS-CBN off the air

Senator Recto: ABS-CBN does not deserve death penalty
'A noisy press, all the more the sound from outlets which does not please our ears, is the soundtrack of democracy,' says Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto
In House panel report, ABS-CBN accused of favoring Robredo in 2016
But ABS-CBN denies backing any candidate in the 2016 elections, which saw Vice President Leni Robredo defeat Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and 5 other male vice presidential bets

Big majority of Filipinos think Congress should grant ABS-CBN a franchise
(UPDATED) The Social Weather Stations survey also says that majority of Filipinos also agree that denying ABS-CBN a franchise is a 'major blow to press freedom'

[EXPLAINER] Forget about people’s initiative for ABS-CBN
It will cost the Comelec at least P4 billion, and it will overlap with its preparation for the 2022 elections. Let’s set the exercise aside for when we truly need it.

'End has come:' Calida warms towards House in hailing ABS-CBN franchise kill
It seems that all is well now between Calida and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, because what used to be a clash over jurisdiction now appears to be just a thing of the past
Ex-Kapamilya Legarda, Vargas explain their silence during ABS-CBN voting
Representatives Loren Legarda and Alfred Vargas were Kapamilya before they joined politics

Gretchen Barretto disowns Twitter account: 'I have not made a single statement on ABS-CBN'
Gretchen has appeared in several ABS-CBN teleseryes, and even occasionally co-hosted the network's famous talk show, 'The Buzz'

Lea Salonga on reactions to ABS-CBN franchise denial: 'For myself, I choose optimism'
'In every crisis, there is opportunity. We need to take the time to figure out what that’ll be,' the Broadway actress writes on Twitter after a House panel rejected ABS-CBN's franchise renewal

Malacañang: ABS-CBN franchise rejection is 'decision of Filipino people'
President Spokesman Harry Roque again claims the controversial decision has 'no chilling effect,' supposedly because ABS-CBN is mostly engaged in producing entertainment content
PH journalists slam rejection of ABS-CBN franchise: 'History is never kind to tyrants'
(4th UPDATE) 'A thousand little cuts do not make us weak, these make us stronger,' says the Malacañang Press Corps, as Philippine journalists call out the 'house of minions'

'Personal grudges, interests' prevailed in rejection of ABS-CBN franchise – academics
The Philippine Association of Communication Educators promises to join electoral education initiatives 'to remind voters that no one, not even lawmakers, shall curtail press freedom'

Read, respect House panel's rejection of ABS-CBN franchise – Cayetano
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano says the committee members gave 'serious consideration' to all the merits of ABS-CBN's franchise before putting it to a vote

Sectoral groups vow to remember how House panel voted on ABS-CBN franchise
‘The people will hold them responsible for any resulting layoffs, any denial or limitation in information, and any attacks to press freedom and expression resulting from this shutdown’

After House vote vs ABS-CBN, Angel Locsin's appeal: 'Now is not the time to stay silent'
'Nakikiusap po ako, now is the time. Gamitin natin ang boses natin para sa tama,' the actress says

'Big blow against press freedom': ABS-CBN franchise bill authors slam panel verdict
But these lawmakers can't file an appeal on behalf of ABS-CBN, as only those who voted with the majority – the legislators who rejected the franchise – can make a motion for reconsideration as per House rules

Filipinos online lament impact of ABS-CBN franchise application rejection
‘I won’t be able to get updates on what’s happening around me [especially] during this typhoon season,’ says one Facebook user

After junking franchise, House panel wants to probe ABS-CBN property, digital TV
The House committee on legislative franchises also recommends an inquiry on the sale of Philippine Depositary Receipts by all industries required to be 100% Filipino-owned, including media

Senators say ABS-CBN case sets a precedent: 'Toe the line or get shut down'
(UPDATED) 'The sword of Damocles will continue to hang perilously over other media networks. Both the legislators and the executive can wield the sword at their whim and caprice,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon

ABS-CBN’s battle is also ours
Rappler’s statement on ABS-CBN: ‘Learning from the lessons of history, journalists and other freedom-loving citizens must speak up because to be silent is to be complicit’

Robredo warns of 'chilling effect' on media after rejection of ABS-CBN franchise
'Our choice of leaders matters.... Kaya't tandaan natin ang mga pangalan ng kongresista at opisyal na tumaliwas sa ating mga paniniwala,' says Vice President Leni Robredo

Filipino artists, singers decry denial of ABS-CBN franchise renewal
Several celebrities outside of the ABS-CBN network also share their dismay over the decision not to renew the media network's franchise

After franchise rejection, ABS-CBN says: 'Kapit lang'
(UPDATED) CEO Carlo Katigbak says they will find other ways to achieve their mission of public service

Malacañang respects House panel rejection of ABS-CBN franchise renewal
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque continues to claim that the Duterte administration has kept a 'neutral stance' on ABS-CBN, despite the Chief Executive's repeated threats against the network since 2017

‘We will remember’: Netizens demand justice after rejection of ABS-CBN franchise
Social media users called on one another to vote wisely in the 2022 elections after 70 House committee members voted against the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise

Darker days ahead: Rights groups slam rejection of ABS-CBN franchise
Human rights groups say this 'solidifies Duterte's tyranny' and proves 'we are under a de facto martial law'

'We will fight back': Media groups slam House panel for denying ABS-CBN franchise
(UPDATED) Despite the denial of the franchise, media groups vow to continue exhausting all means to bring ABS-CBN back on air

ABS-CBN stars heartbroken after House committee rejects network's franchise
(UPDATED) Anne Curtis,Liza Soberano, Julia Barretto, Kim Chiu, Joshua Garcia, and many others express their dismay on social media

IN PHOTOS: ABS-CBN stars call for franchise renewal at Batasang Pambansa
The stars, including Piolo Pascual and Kathryn Bernardo, hold signs that say, 'Defend Press Freedom' and 'Stand with ABS-CBN workers'

House committee rejects franchise for ABS-CBN
(4th UPDATE) The Philippines' largest media network has 24 hours to appeal the decision of the House committee on legislative franchises

[DOCUMENT] House panel's working group recommends rejecting ABS-CBN's franchise
(2nd UPDATE) The House committee on legislative franchises says ABS-CBN's alleged violations 'weighs heavily against' the network's franchise application

LIVE: House hearing on ABS-CBN franchise renewal
Watch the House session live on Friday, July 10, at 1 pm


ABS-CBN defenders make last stand: ‘Why punish a company that did not breach laws?’
The House committee on legislative franchises' technical working group will draft recommendations on whether to grant ABS-CBN a franchise. They may vote on July 10, 2020.

Cayetano again says ABS-CBN franchise not press freedom issue
'I submit that this is not press freedom; it is the theft of government from the people while hiding under the pretense of press freedom,' says Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano


[OPINION] In the service of the Filipino
'What has ABS-CBN done in the service of the Filipino? This is the accusing, if not sarcastic, question many administration allies ask...'

Party-list reps Paduano, Salo withdraw authorship of ABS-CBN franchise bills
The party-list congressmen say ABS-CBN failed to properly rebut the allegations thrown at the network in the past month

Dela Rosa's advice to ABS-CBN workers: 'Hanap ng ibang trabaho para mabuhay'
Senator Bato dela Rosa urges the media network's thousands of workers to 'be industrious' and look for a new job in case ABS-CBN doesn't get a new franchise

Cayetano hits ‘mind-conditioning’ ahead of ABS-CBN franchise vote
Though he did not name anyone, the Speaker may be referring to talks that the president's son and House Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte, and the influential Iglesia ni Cristo are reportedly lobbying to kill ABS-CBN's franchise

'#WeAppealAsOne': KathNiel fans appeal to Congress for ABS-CBN franchise renewal
They really did that

Scenarios: What happens to ABS-CBN franchise after House panel vote?
We tackle 3 possible scenarios for the embattled network, which is at risk of staying off-air for the remainder of the Duterte presidency

[OPINION] The moment of truth for the ABS-CBN franchise
'Already, many people in the provinces and our islands have lost access to their only sources of news. This has life and death implications for many...'
