The Kapisanan ng mga Brodcaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) is urging ABS-CBN to reapply for a congressional franchise following the National Telecommunications Commission’s memorandum recalling the frequencies assigned to the Kapamilya network.
In a statement KBP chairman Herman Basbaño said they are hoping ABS-CBN will consider re-applying for a franchise so that they can somehow save their frequencies.
“I hope ABS is considering reapplying again for another franchise para lang mahabol na makakuha ng tsansa na maka-partake o makuha nila frequencies nila,” Basbaño said
“We know that there has to be a process pero kung kaya naman at interesado talaga ang ABS, puwede naman nating balikan ‘yan at apply franchise again and submit intent to NTC kasi sa kanila naman ito,” he added.
In a memorandum order dated Wenesday September 10, NTC said ABS-CBN’s failure to renew its franchise warranted the recall of the frequencies since they’ve already “lost the privilege of installing, operating, and maintaining radio broadcasting stations in the country.”
“Indubitably, the denial of Respondent’s franchise renewal application by Congress, coupled with the denial of Respondent’s Petition by the Supreme Court, lead to no other conclusion except that Respondent had already lost the privilege of installing, operating, and maintaining radio broadcasting stations in the country,”
“Consequentially, absent a valid legislative franchise, the recall of the frequencies assigned to Respondent is warranted,” NTC said.
The NTC’s order covered all frequencies assigned to ABS-CBN which include the CH2 frequency, DZMM 630 and MOR 101.9 (DWRR-FM)
KBP also cautioned of the possible repercussions once the frequencies currently assigned to ABS-CBN are totally recalled.
According to Basbano, even if ABS-CBN gets an opportunity to get a new franchise at the next congress, there might be no more available frequencies to be given to them because it were already given to other franchise applicants.
“Kung mauubos po ‘yung frequency sa dami ng aplikante, ang mangyayari pipila rin kayo sa pag-apply. So tama po ‘yung sinasabi niyo na maaaring wala na kayong frequency after 2 years,” ani Basbano.
But ABS-CBN’s other hope was for the country’s full migration to Digital TV because there’ll be more available frequencies to be assigned to media networks.
ABS-CBN’s franchise expired on May 4, 2020, prompting NTC to issue the cease and desist order against the network.
And on July 10, after almost 6 years at the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, 70 congressmen voted to deny ABS-CBN’s franchise application.
Currently, ABS-CBN supporters are pushing for people’s initiative to push for the Kapamilya network’s franchise.
Several congressmen supportive of ABS-CBN are also still hopeful they can overturn the legislative franchises committee decision if ever the TWG report will be presented to the plenary.
