Several lawmakers have denounced the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) orders against ABS-CBN, calling them “unfair”.
On May 5, 2020, NTC first issued a cease and desist order to ABS-CBN to immediately close its broadcasting operations.
Last June 30, two new cease and desist orders from NTC had forced ABS-CBN to stop operating its digital TV transmission in Metro Manila using channel 43 (TVPlus) and Sky Cable Corp.’s SKYdirect.
Denied privileges given to other franchise holders, Sonny Angara said that this is “very unfair” for the Kapamilya network.
“[It’s] very unfair given the treatment of other franchise holders whose franchises expired [but] were allowed to operate while their applications were pending with Congress.”
Angara also said that this will only worsen the unemployment rate in the country amid the crisis.
“[Its timing is] terrible given the economic situation with record unemployment [in the country]. It’s sad to see [the] government treat working people this way,” he said.
“It’s painful to watch the government [become] the cause of so much suffering and hardship for thousands of ordinary working Filipinos,” Angara posted on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros stated that the NTC has cut off one of the reliable sources of information especially now that the country is going through a pandemic
“Because we are in a crisis and because access to information is crucial, [the] NTC should reconsider [its] cease-and-desist orders,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
“Especially because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we need to uphold freedom of the press, secure the rights and welfare of workers and improve the public’s access to life-saving information,” she said.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan urged the public to speak up for the “abuses and failure” happening in the country.
“The lust for power will continue unless the court or the people will end it by opposing and condemning it,” Pangilinan said.
“We should not be afraid to speak up and criticize the abuses and failure of leadership in our country,” he said.
Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Violago noted that at least 15 other broadcast companies were allowed to operate despite the expiration of franchise. With this, Violago asked NTC to show fairness to all.
“We have repeatedly said in our committee hearings that we [in the government] should exercise fairness to all. Thus, the NTC should act on this matter to show that it is not biased in favor of any media entity,” Violago said at the hearing of ABS-CBN’s alleged violations of tax and labor laws.
ABS-CBN proved that they haven’t violated any provision of their franchise during the congress hearings including their TV Plus issues and their alleged labor law violations.
NTC Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba said ABS-CBN did not violate their franchise in airing 6 channels or programs using the 1 frequency given with their franchise.
“Insofar as 6 programs in 1 channel is concerned, okay po yun (they’re okay),” he said
ABS-CBN argued that they are fully compliant with DOLE regulations and that they were given clearance.
According to DOLE Usec. Ana Dione, based on their recent inspection, ABS-CBN was found to be compliant with all the labor laws.
“ABS-CBN is fully compliant with labor laws. Hindi sya nakitaan ng anumang violations,” she said.
