MANILA, Philippines – Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a Cease and Desist order against ABS-CBN due to expiration of its congressional franchise.
In an order dated May 5, 2020, the NTC directed ABS-CBN to stop operating its various TV and radio broadcasting stations nationwide "absent a valid Congressional Franchise as required by law."
The Kapamilya Network was also given ten (10) days from receipt of order to respond as to why the frequencies assigned to it should not be returned.
UPDATE: ABS-CBN releases statement on cease and desist order issued by NTC
"Republic Act No. 7966 which granted ABS-CBN a 25-year franchise to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations expired on Monday, May 4," NTC said in a press statement.
NTC refers to the Radio Control Law, Act No. 3846, as amended provides that "no person, firm, company, association or corporation shall construct, install, establish, or operate a radio station within the Philippine Islands without having first obtained a franchise therefor from the Philippine Legislature."
"Upon the expiration of RA 7966, ABS-CBN no longer has a valid and subsisting congressional franchise as required by Act No. 3846," the agency insisted.
"The NTC regional offices shall implement the closure order in their respective areas of jurisdiction," NTC said.
"After receipt of ABS-CBN's response, the NTC shall schedule the case for hearing at the earliest time after the Enhanced Community Quarantine is lifted by the government," the statement added.
— The Summit Express
In an order dated May 5, 2020, the NTC directed ABS-CBN to stop operating its various TV and radio broadcasting stations nationwide "absent a valid Congressional Franchise as required by law."
The Kapamilya Network was also given ten (10) days from receipt of order to respond as to why the frequencies assigned to it should not be returned.
UPDATE: ABS-CBN releases statement on cease and desist order issued by NTC
"Republic Act No. 7966 which granted ABS-CBN a 25-year franchise to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations expired on Monday, May 4," NTC said in a press statement.
NTC refers to the Radio Control Law, Act No. 3846, as amended provides that "no person, firm, company, association or corporation shall construct, install, establish, or operate a radio station within the Philippine Islands without having first obtained a franchise therefor from the Philippine Legislature."
"Upon the expiration of RA 7966, ABS-CBN no longer has a valid and subsisting congressional franchise as required by Act No. 3846," the agency insisted.
"The NTC regional offices shall implement the closure order in their respective areas of jurisdiction," NTC said.
"After receipt of ABS-CBN's response, the NTC shall schedule the case for hearing at the earliest time after the Enhanced Community Quarantine is lifted by the government," the statement added.
— The Summit Express
