ABS-CBN: We trust gov’t to decide on our franchise with best interest of Filipinos in mind

MANILA, Philippines — Media giant ABS-CBN lamented the order of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for them to stop their broadcast operations nationwide after their franchise expired on May 4.

In a statement, ABS-CBN said, “millions of Filipinos will lose their source of news and entertainment when ABS-CBN is ordered to go off-air on TV and radio tonight (May 5) when people need crucial and timely information as the nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Despite Senate Resolution No. 40, the House of Representatives’ committee on legislative franchises’ letter, the guidance of the Department of Justice, and the sworn statement of NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Codoba, the NTC did not grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate while its franchise renewal remains pending in Congress,” ABS-CBN said.

“In an interview with DZMM last week, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano even gave an assurance that there is no move to shut down the network,” it added.

In an Order dated May 5, the NTC directed ABS-CBN to stop operating its television and radio broadcasting stations nationwide “absent a valid Congressional Franchise required by law.”

NTC cited Republic Act No. 3846 or the Radio Control Law which states that “no person, firm, company, association, or corporation shall construct, install, establish, or operate a radio transmitting station, or radio receiving station used for commercial purposes, or a radio broadcasting station, without having first obtained a franchise therefor from the Congress of the Philippines.”

Thus, with the expiration of Republic Act. No 7966, which granted ABS-CBN a 25-year franchise to operate its TV and radio broadcasting stations, NTC said that ABS-CBN “no longer has a valid and subsisting congressional franchise as required by Act No. 3846.

The order was released as the country faces the coronavirus pandemic when media entities play an essential role in disseminating information to the public.

“We trust that the government will decide on our franchise with the best interest of the Filipino people in mind, recognizing ABS-CBN’s role and efforts in providing the latest news and information during these challenging times,” ABS-CBN said.

The network also noted its news and public health efforts amid the pandemic.

“ABS-CBN has been providing comprehensive news coverage on the public health and working with local governments and the private sector in providing food and basic goods for those in need through its ‘Pantawid ng Pag-ibig’ campaign,” ABS-CBN noted.

“To date, it has delivered over P300 million worth of goods for the benefit of over 600,000 families affected by the enhanced community quarantine,” it added.