Solons are now considering to stop ABS-CBN from airing through its digital box or ABS-CBN TV Plus. They slammed the National telecommunications Commission (NTC) for allowing ABS-CBN to operate through the said method.
The NTC reasoned out that it had to wait for the advice of the Office of the Solicitor General which just came earlier today. It was disclosed in the hearing that the network used the frequency of the AMCARA Broadcasting Network or Channel 43 to air through its TV Plus. The NTC insisted that the AMCARA franchise is the same as the ABS-CBN franchise which expired last May.
“Wala na po silang karapatang mag-broadcast, period. ‘Yan po ang malinaw na malinaw para po sa broadcasting. Ngayon ito pong blocktime… ABS-CBN content, no amount of arrangement ay pwedeng palusot para po sila ay makapag-broadcast nang legal (They do not have the right to broadcast, period. This is very clear for broadcasting. As for blocktime ABS-CBN content, no amount of arrangement can be used to justify airing legally),” Rep. Boying Remulla claimed.
For some of the lawmakers, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba is not yet off the hook and may face charges before the Office of the Ombudsman. Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcolate also pushed him to resign.
ABS-CBN pointed out that AMCARA’s franchise is different from its franchise that expired last May and are no longer related with each other. It added that it is only a blocktimer in AMCARA. “‘Pag pinutulan po natin ‘yan (If we cut it off) that’s almost 55-M people that will lose access to their entertainment, their news and information,” ABS-CBN CEO and President Carlo Katigbak said.
“Sana po, ang appeal namin sa Kongreso (our appeal to Congress), in the spirit of fairness, please consider that you have allowed to operate before even after their franchises have expired,” Katigbak added. – Report from Daniel Manalastas