On Tuesday, January 25, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), with the blessing from the Department of Justice and Pres. Rodrigo Duterte gave the Advanced Media Broadcasting System the frequencies 2 and 16 channels ABS-CBN used before its shutdown.
The broadcasting company is owned by business mogul and former senator Manny Villar.
Based on documents obtained by Bilyonaryo, NTC gave provisional authority with a span of 18 months to Villar’s media company for its usage as well as the ability to build and use a transmitter.
“The Commission hereby grants Advanced Media System Inc, a provisional authority to install, operate and maintain a Digital TV (TV) broadcasting system in Metro Manila/Mega Manila using Channel 16 (482-488 MHz) with digital ERP of 10 kW for 18 months,” the NTC order stated.
The frequencies were ABS-CBN’s channel in analog TV and its sports channel Studio 23, respectively.
The permit, which was given earlier on January 06, also allowed the Advanced Media Broadcasting System to conduct test broadcasts using the channels.
“This temporary permit to test broadcast is effective from 06 January 2022 until Analog Shut Off (ASO) unless sooner revoked or canceled. It is understood that the operation of the subject radio station shall be done in accordance with the existing radio laws and regulations.”
Earlier in February of 2021, Villar revealed his plans to build a radio-TV satellite broadcasting network as a replacement for ABS-CBN, which is currently off the air.
Villar’s media company backed by DOJ and Malacañang.
Despite not being open to new TV stations, the DOJ declared that companies like Advanced Media Broadcasting System were allowed because Memorandum Circular No. 07-12-2014 (limiting digital TV licenses only to those with analog TV operations) was “altered by the change in factual circumstances.”
The Office of the Executive Secretary, on December 28, 2021, also sent a letter ordering NTC to assign “vacated and available frequencies to qualified entities.”
Villar backed the incumbent President during the 2016 election campaign. His son, Mark, was pointed as one of Duterte’s first Cabinet members.
Congress also granted Advanced Media Broadcasting System a 25-year franchise license which Pres signed. Duterte in 2019.
What will happen now?
There are already bills filed in the Senate that would allow the Lopez-owned network to return to free TV.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, at the start of 2021, filed Senate Bill No. 1967, which seeks to renew ABS-CBN’s expired franchise license.
He is backed by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Joel Villanueva, and Sherwin Gatchalian.
Rep. Vilma Santos also filed her own bill, House Bill No. 8289, for the same purpose of giving ABS-CBN its franchise back.
However, if one of the bills becomes law this year, Advanced Media Broadcasting System still has the right to use the Network frequencies for more than a year unless its permit is revoked.
ABS-CBN went off the air in 2020 after it failed to secure a congressional franchise to operate. It also failed to renew its franchise license when Congress decided to reject its application with a vote of 70-11 due to “illegal practices.”
