Lawmaker, group furious over order stopping ABS-CBN operations

MANILA, Philippines – Even a pandemic cannot stop tyranny.

Activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) through its secretary-general Renato Reyes said on Tuesday that the latest developments on the ABS-CBN franchise issue, where the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order for the network’s operation, was a grave threat to press freedom.

“We stand with ABS-CBN amid this very serious threat to press freedom coming from the NTC. Panibagong panggigipit ito sa media,” Reyes said in a message to reporters.  “Kahit panahon ng COVID19 at ECQ, tila hindi tumitigil ang mga pwersa ng tiraniya.”

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, one of the advocates of the franchise renewal in the House of Representatives, claimed that the NTC’s independence is already tainted as it succumbed to the demands of Solicitor General Jose Calida.

Calida previously filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN for supposedly using a corporate veil in hiding foreign ownership.

“The issuance by the [NTC] is a blow to its independence as a regulatory body since it is obvious that it succumbed to the threats of Solicitor General Jose Calida. It is also a serious blow to the freedom of the press as it is now being sacrificed in the altar of political vendetta,” Zarate added.

This NTC order came despite declarations from various lawmakers, including Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano himself, for the commission to allow ABS-CBN to continue operating on a provisional franchise until the issue is resolved by Congress.

Zarate said that what Congress must do now is to fast-track the hearing of the franchise renewal within the 10-day period given by NTC.

“But there is still hope. It is imperative now that in the ten days that was given for ABS-CBN to comply, Congress can already Fastrack the hearing and resolve the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN so that the network can continuously go on air,” he explained.

ABS-CBN’s fate currently is in limbo after President Rodrigo Duterte previously said that he would see to it that the network is shut down.  However, recent circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for physical hearings to be conducted in Congress.

On the other hand, ABS-CBN is one of the country’s networks that has provided wide coverage of the pandemic, with Zarate also emphasizing its role as an information disseminator and a relief organization.