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MANILA - The "short and swift" remedy for ABS-CBN to continue its broadcast operation is Congress' granting of a provisional franchise, a former member of the Duterte Cabinet said Tuesday.

At least 13 senators and 1 congressman have filed measures that would give the network a temporary franchise while Congress is tackling ABS-CBN's bid for a fresh 25-year license to operate.

• 13 senators push for bill granting ABS-CBN 'provisional franchise' until June 2022
• Solon seeks temporary franchise for ABS-CBN

This should be in form of a law, according to lawyer Rodolfo Salalima, former secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the parent agency of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

"The remedy is short, swift and adequate. Congress, with absolute plenary power to hear and grant franchise, must immediately grant a provisional franchise in the interim if Congress is of the mind that it must conduct a meticulous hearing on the merit before it can grant the regular franchise," Salalima told ANC.

Salalima earlier said the NTC's cease and desist order against the network was void as it did not give ABS-CBN a chance to explain its side.

• Ex-DICT chief Salalima: NTC order void, ABS-CBN can continue operations
• NTC orders ABS-CBN to stop broadcasting

"The NTC itself...may batas sila which says before a cease and desist order can be issued, there must first be a show-cause order detailing therein the particulars of the charges against ABS-CBN," he said.

"Under our bill of rights, no person can be deprived of life, liberty, property without due process of law."

ABS-CBN has since asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order against the CDO. The high court is set to tackle the petition on May 19.

• ABS-CBN goes to Supreme Court for broadcast resumption
• ABS-CBN plea vs NTC order raffled to Supreme Court magistrate: spox