National Telecommunications Commission orders ABS-CBN closure
MANILA – The media giant ABS-CBN has been ordered to close shop by the National Telecommunications in an order signed by Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba and Deputy Commissioners Edgardo V. Cabarios and Delilah F. Deles dated May 5,2020.
The Cease and Desist Order was issued for the network’s failure to have its congressional franchise renewed. The NTC directed the network to stop operating its TV and radio broadcasting stations across the country without a valid congressional franchise required by law.
The network was given ten days from receipt of the Order to respond why the frequencies accorded them should not be recalled.
Citing Republic Act No. 7966 which granted ABS-CBN a 25-year franchise to operate tv and radio broadcasting stations expired yesterday.
The same order cited the Radio Control law or Act N. 3846 as amended, which provides that “no person, firm, company, association, or corporation shall construct, install, establish, or operate a radio transmitting station, or a 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.”
“With the expiration of RA 7966, ABS-CBN no longer has a valid and subsisting congressional franchise as required by Act No. 3846,” the NTC statement said.
NTC regional offices will implement the closure order in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
The NTC is expected to schedule the hearing at the soonest time after ABS-CBN files its response. It is expected that the hearing will be schedules after the national government lifts its lockdown or Enhanced Community Quarantine.
Included in the Cease and Desist Order are 43 television, 5 AM and 18 FM radio stations across the country. Included in the CDO are 10 other television stations up for implementation.
ABS-CBN has not issued any statement as of this writing. (Melo M. Acuña)
Various Press Freedom advocates and cause-oriented groups held Friday night rallies prior to the Enhanced Community Quarantine. The NTC has already issued is Cease and Desist Order against the giant media network for failure to have its franchise from Congress renewed. (Melo M. Acuna Photo)
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