The House Committee on Legislative Franchise Chairman Rep. Franz Alvarez has warned the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) of contempt if they will not grant ABS-CBN provisional authority.
In a statement Tuesday, May 5, Alvarez said his committee will call on NTC to explain their decision to issue cease and desist order against ABS-CBN contrary to their agreement that they will grant the network provisional authority while the franchise renewal bill is still pending in Congress.
“The power of Congress to legislate is complete, full, and plenary. A legislative franchise is a law and by deciding whether to grant or deny a franchise, it is passing a law and making policy.
“With the legal opinion of the Department of Justice and the authority given by the House of Representatives, there is no reason for ABS-CBN to discontinue or stop their operations until we make a final decision,” he said.
NTC in February has agreed to give ABS-CBN provisional authority once their franchise expired. NTC officials, under oath during the hearing, said they will take into action the Congress letter and the Senate resolution urging the agency to grant the Kapamilya network provisional authority to continue with their operations.
“May I assure this committee that barring a gross violation of its franchise of the NTC rules and regulations, NTC will follow the latest advice of the DOJ and let ABS-CBN continue operations based on equity,” said NTC Commissioner Cordoba during congress hearing.
However, on Sunday, Solicitor General Jose Calida threatened NTC officials that they may face graft charges if they continue to issue provisional authority to ABS-CBN.
Thus Alvarez slammed NTC for succumbing to Calida’s pressure and warned the agency official to be held in contempt.
“We would like to make it clear that Congress takes this matter very seriously…” Alvarez warned.
“If the NTC chooses to succumb to the pressure of the Solicitor General, and disregard the commitments they gave under oath, we reserve the right to call them before Congress and explain why they should not be held in contempt,” he added.
Alvarez also scored Calida for intervening with their legislative process.
“We have recently been made aware of efforts by the Solicitor General to pressure the [NTC] to go against the ruling of the Department of Justice, which states that ABS-CBN may continue to broadcast while Congress deliberates on the renewal of its franchise,” said Alvarez
According to Alvarez, Calida “should have the decency to give Congress this courtesy to complete the exercise of its power,” saying that his committee already began deliberations on the broadcast company’s application for franchise renewal before adjourning in March.
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN immediately complied with the order of NTC.
The media giant has signed off effective Tuesday evening May 5, 2020 after airing TV Patrol.
In their official statement, ABS-CBN reiterated their continued commitment to serve the Filipino people.
“ABS-CBN remains committed to being in the service of the Filipino and we will find ways to continue providing meaningful service to them,” it said.
Here’s the full statement of ABS-CBN regarding NTC’s cease and desist order.
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 (5 May 2020) when people need crucial and timely information as the nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is in compliance with the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) today that prohibits ABS-CBN from continuing its broadcast operations effective immediately.
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 Cordoba, the NTC did not grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate while its franchise renewal remains pending in Congress.
In an interview with DZMM last week, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano even gave an assurance that there is no move to shut down the network.
ABS-CBN has been providing comprehensive news coverage on the public health crisis 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. 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.
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 remains committed to being in the service of the Filipino and we will find ways to continue providing meaningful service to them.
