MANILA—Broadcast network ABS-CBN said on Monday it was “stunned” by accusations raised during a congressional deliberation on a bill seeking to reopen its free TV and radio channels under a temporary franchise.

The issues had been raised and “answered under oath by various government agencies as well as by ABS-CBN executives” during a Senate hearing last Feb. 24, the network said in a statement.

ABS-CBN noted that the Securities and Exchange Commission, National Telecommunications Commission, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue all testified that the network “had no violations as it relates to their specific agency.”

The network also cited Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III’s clarification in a previous interview that ABS-CBN was “fully compliant with labor standards.”

But a number of congressmen still cited the same issues on Monday when the chamber was supposed to pass the interim franchise bill again on second reading.

“The accusations were made without any evidence submitted and authenticated, and without the ability for ABS-CBN to reply,” the network said.

“We assure our public and our employees that ABS-CBN will reply to these accusations in the proper forum.”

Citing complaints against the network, Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado moved that House Bill No. 6732 be referred back to the Committee on Legislative Franchises, instead of approving a temporary franchise.

“Para dun po magkaroon ng mas maayos na hearing sa bawat isa, patas at komprehensibo, pantay-pantay para sa lahat, at walang minamadaling proseso para lamang sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN,” he said on the floor.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez called on the House leadership to ensure that the bill would be passed on third and final reading this week, warning a delay could mean ABS-CBN would remain off the air much longer.

“It will be worrisome,” he told ABS-CBN News.