On behalf of the numerous advocates for press freedom in the House of Representatives, I truly appreciate the decision of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano to start on March 10, 2020 the consideration of the 11 bills proposing the extension for another 25 years of the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN.

This will advance the belated timetable previously announced by Speaker Cayetano which would unduly delay the consideration and approval of the imperiled franchise.

I hope that the hearings on the franchise of ABS-CBN will not be extended past the 2022 presidential and general elections as previously intimated by Cayetano.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN