Some senators to file reso urging NTC to reconsider shutdown order vs ABS-CBN

MANILA, Philippines — Some senators are set to file a resolution appealing to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to reconsider the cease-and-desist order it had issued against ABS-CBN, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Thursday.

“Maghahain ako, kasama ng ilang mga Senador sa mayorya at minorya, ng isang resolusyong naghihikayat sa National Telecommunications Commission na i-reconsider ang kanilang cease-and-desist order laban sa ABS-CBN,” Hontiveros told reporters in a teleconference.

(I will be filing a resolution, together with my colleagues in the majority and minority urging the National Telecommunications Commission to reconsider its cease-and-desist against ABS-CBN).

“Nagkakasundo ang ilang mga Senador na, sa panahong may kinakakaharap tayong krisis, mahalaga ang access sa tama at napapanahong impormasyon na hinahatid ng media,” she added.

(Some of us have agreed, that in this time when we are facing a crisis, access to accurate and timely information from the media is important).

At least 13 senators have signed the resolution which will be filed within the day.

ABS-CBN went off the air Tuesday night following the cease-and-desist order from the NTC after the network’s franchise expired on May 4.

This even after the NTC assured Congress that it would grant ABS-CBN provisional authority to allow its continuous operation while its franchise renewal remains pending.

“Hindi bago ang pagbibigay ng provisional authority sa mga prankisang pending pa ang renewal…Kaya bakit, para sa ABS-CBN lamang at habang nasa gitna tayo ng COVID-19 pandemic, naging selective ang paghihigpit ng NTC?,” Hontiveros added.

(Granting a provisional authority to franchises pending their renewal is not new…So why was it not the case with ABS-CBN and we are in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, why is the NTC being selective?)

“Hindi ba nila alam na pwedeng buhay at kalusugan ng mga Pilipino ang nakasalalay sa delivery ng tamang impormasyon sa publiko? Hindi ba nila inisip na sa gitna ng isang napipintong recession, tatanggalan mo ng hanapabuhay ang libu-libong mga manggagawa?” she added.

(Do they not know that the welfare and health of Filipinos depend on the delivery of right information? Are they not aware that amid a looming recession,  thousands of workers have lost their jobs?)

Hontiveros further pointed out a memorandum order earlier issued by the NTC allowing all existing permits, certificates, and licenses, which will expire within the period of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), to remain valid 60 days after the end of the government-imposed quarantine.

She also noted the legal opinion of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that ABS-CBN may continue its operations pending the renewal of its legislative franchise.

“Ito din ang naging opinyon ng Senado nung in-adopt namin ang resolusyong i-authorize ang NTC sa pagbigay ng provisional authority,” the senator added.

(This was also the opinion of the Senate when we adopted a resolution authorizing the NTC to issue a provisional authority.)

Hontiveros also questioned why the government allowed the partial reopening of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), which has been linked to various crimes and tax issues but close down a part of “a very important” industry.

‘Tsunami of reactions’

Asked if she thinks the NTC will consider the new appeal from the Senate given that the commission had already turned its back on the commitment it earlier made, Hontiveros said she remains “hopeful.”

“Even if I am not optimistic…pero hopeful ako lalo na sa tsunami ng reaksyon, negatibong reaksyon ng mga manunood dito sa Pilipinas at mga kababayan natin sa ibang bansa laban dun sa cease-and desist-order na yan at yung sumunod na pag-o-off the air ng ABS-CBN,” she said.

(Even if I’m not optimistic…But I am hopeful especially with the tsunami of reactions, negative reactions of the Filipino viewers here and abroad against the cease-and-desist order which led ABS-CBN to go off the air).

Hontiveros said this new resolution will be a “reiteration” of the previously adopted resolution of the Senate authorizing the NTC to grant a provisional authority to ABS-CBN.

“Actually di nga dapat namin kailangan i-pressure sila (NTC) kasi that is already within their mandate at ilang beses nilang ginawa yun in the past,” the senator said, referring to instances where NTC had issued provisional authorities to several companies with pending franchise renewals.

(Actually, we don’t need to pressure NTC because that is already within their mandate and they have already done it several times in the past).

“If I remember correctly inamin nila na this was an unprecedented step for them to take (issuing the cease-and-desist order). Sobrang kontra sa kanilang common practice,” she added

(If I remember correctly, they admitted that this was an unprecedented step for them to take. It was really contrary to their common practice).

/MUF

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