NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarrios denied the criticisms saying that the granting of frequencies to President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies were ‘midnight deals,’ on January 27.
During his interview with ANC 24/7, newscaster Karmina Constantino asked Cabarrios’ reaction to the perception of some that the frequency grants to Pres. Duterte’s allies were ‘almost a midnight deal.’
The NTC Deputy Commissionerinsisted insisted that the frequencies previously owned by ABS-CBN were left unused for more than a year already.
“It’s been more than 1 year already since these spectrums remain unused, unutilized, and unassigned. So the Commission en banc decided to assign so that it can used for public good and public convenience.”
Cabarrios also dismissed opinions saying that the granting of frequencies seemed rushed to avoid an election ban on granting new permits for the use of radio frequencies.
According to subsection 6.4 of Republic Act No. 9006 or the Fair Elections Act, “No franchise or permit to operate a radio or television station shall be granted or issued, suspended or canceled during the election period.”
Looking back, NTC ordered the frequency grants on January 5 (Wednesday) and January 6 (Thursday). Noticeably, these dates were a few days before the election period opened on January 9.
When pressed on about the seemingly rushed transactions, Cabarrios insisted that leaving the frequencies idle was “disadvantageous to the public.”
He also noted that if they waited for the next administration, the frequencies would’ve remained idle for more than two years.
Cabarrios further denied the allegations that favored Duterte allies received the frequency grants.
“So there were formal hearings and submission of documents, that was done.”
The company owned by Duterte spiritual adviser, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, received the frequency grant for Channel 43.
Aliw Broadcasting received the frequency grant for Channel 23. Previously, ABS-CBN used the channel under a block-time deal with Amcara.
The frequencies formerly assigned to ABS-CBN, Channel 2 and 16, were granted to Manny Villar’s firm.
Villar is known as one of the most prominent supporters of President Duterte.
His son Mark served in the Cabinet as public works secretary and received support from the administration party PDP-Laban (Cusi wing) in the coming elections.
Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar voted ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal in 2020.
