What Bias? the panel listened to all parties -Grace Poe

Senator Grace Poe has been tagged as bias as regards to the Senate Public Service Committee hearing conducted to which she is the chairman.

Poe defended her act by saying the Senate hearing was conducted in a fairly and objectively manner.

It is publicly known that the senator’s parent the late Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces have links to the Lopez owned media giant. Susan Roces is a talent of the company and appears in "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano." Her father, late actor Fernando Poe Jr., is the "FPJ" in the series' title and starred in a movie called "Ang Probinsyano".

ABS-CBN executives during the Senate hearing chaired by Grace Poe
(photo credit to owner)

Despite calls of biased and issue on constitutionality, Poe pointed out that the hearing of the public services committee is within its jurisdiction.

The committee, according to the Senate rules, handles "all matters affecting public services and utilities; communications; land, air, river and sea transportation including railroads, inter-island navigation, and lighthouses; and the grant or amendment of legislative franchises."

She also notes that all the parties to the issue whether for administration and opposition senators were given the chance to speak on the matter.

"Number 1: I am the chairman of the Committee on Public Services. Number 2: It’s no secret the business relationship of my family with ABS-CBN. Number 3: I am only one of 24 senators. Whatever I say, even if I am for it or against it, if the majority will not side with my opinion, it will not prevail," said senator Poe in an exclusive interview with ANC's "Headstart."

"The chairman of a hearing will allow everyone to speak. We were the ones, I in particular, made sure that the [Federation of International Cable TV Associations of the Philippines], the ones against the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise [were] invited," she said.

Senators Christopher "Bong" Go, Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, and Manny Pacquiao—all aligned with President Rodrigo Duterte, who have been also vocal in their desire for the non-renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise were given time to make their respective statements and ask clarificatory questions.

Poe, defended her act as not illegal and unconstitutional, in her opening statement she pointed that the inquiry would tackle ABS-CBN's alleged franchise violations and not necessarily their legislative franchise. 

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Report from PhilStar