The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued a Cease and Desist Order against ABS-CBN after its legislative franchise expired on May 4. The order dated May 5, The NTC directed ABS-CBN to stop operating its television and radio broadcasting stations nationwide due to absence of a valid Congressional Franchise that is required by law.
It's sad to know that a network that become part of your life will be out, nada...gone! Before the COVID-19 pandemic, as the Congress are closing its doors for a break, the network has no chance of having that franchise. Of course, there was limited time, and the Congress has a lot of urgent bills at hand.
Regardless how the Congress does it; the Solicitor General Jose Calida who filed a "quo warranto" petition for the network franchise's revocation pressured NTC for graft and corruption case if it grants a Provisional Authority to ABS-CBN prior to the opening of the Congress session last May 4, Monday.
However, the Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Association of the Philippines (FICTAP) has requested NTC for its decision of the cease and decist order for the ground of operating channel(s) but having one franchise - to one channel only based on the original 1995 franchise; which is free to air and the public are not deemed to pay. ABS-CBN are operating KBO channel and other 5 channels under the Mahigawang Black Box or TV Plus in which the public has fees. The said renewal should have been "New Application" for other channels that ABS-CBN has been operating but what the network did apply is the "Renewal" of the 1995 franchise that FICTAP claimed to be manipulative on the side of the network. They just added "s" to channel, on the said application of renewal, making it channel(s) that is not the original 1995 franchise. During the other channels operation the cable industry was affected and their employees as well. FICTAP's complaint started way back 2014 up to present and is timely that NTC has to made a decision last May 4, for ABS-CBN's franchise expiration. Congress and the Supreme Court has not yet tackled about the franchise of the network, possible in the next coming days.
Very unlucky indeed.. but this is how it ends though the Congress has backed-up the network's operation even it expires.
What if the President is not Rodrigo Roa Duterte? Will this be a different scenario? Is ABS-CBN will be granted a provisional authority after its expiration date? Or there will be no issue or whatsoever with the franchise, like nothing happens?
This event, Most probably will raise to an issue of press freedom. And supporters would probably want to be heard, there would somehow be a call in the social media. A sympathetic propaganda for the defending press freedom, asking the ABS-CBN's franchise approval. And surely they will blame all these tactics to the President of the Philippines of abusing it's power or authorities oppressing the media entities; same with Rappler.
But... But.. But... For me, this is an eye opener. That political influence will no longer be substantial. And that any media network should abide what the law requires.
I felt sad to the number of employees, staff and to the ordinary workers that will be affected with the shutdown. I just hope that, the company will do its best to present themselves to the NTC, Congress, and the Supreme Court to seek for the approval of it's new franchise. The good all padrino days are now gone. We must be lawful and serve as an example. | bp
Full FICTAP President Neng Juliano-Tamano interview.
