It seems that all hope is not lost for ABS-CBN after it has lost its franchise back in 2020: a new House Bill that was recently filed aims to give ABS-CBN a new franchise. Also known as House Bill 431, the new bill aims to allow ABS-CBN to operate again, with author Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel noting that the TV giant’s news and public affairs division plays a crucial role in disseminating important information.

“The news and public affairs program of ABS-CBN serve as the only avenue for crucial and relevant information for a great number of our countrymen.  It is the source of information in the most far-flung areas of our country, keeping its far-reaches up-to-date with the relevant happenings,” Pimentel said in his explanatory note.

The absence of ABS-CBN for the past two years was widely felt especially in far-flung areas, where they barely get updates on important news–particularly with calamities–because ABS-CBN’s Regional Stations were shut down as a result of NTC’s Cease and Desist Order back on May 5, 2020.

This sentiment was further corroborated by former vice president Leni Robredo back in December 2021, when victims of Typhoon Odette shared that ABS-CBN’s absence in covering typhoons and calamities gave them a difficult time asking for help or assistance.

While it remains to be seen if ABS-CBN will be granted a new franchise, they recently partnered with Mediaquest, the operator of TV5, where both TV giants will combine their power and resources, as well as their companies’ structures, with the latter’s free TV channel, TV5, as the main platform.