The National Telecommunications Commission has ordered media giant ABS CBN to stop its broadcast operations following the expiration of its franchise on May 4. The network later announced that they will be signing off in compliance with the order.
Cease and desist order
NTC released the cease and desist order on May 5, a day after the network’s 25-year old franchise expired. The order stated that ABS CBN is now operating “without a valid license” and must stop its broadcast per Republic Act 3846, or the Radio Control Law. This law states that any entity is required to seek a franchise first before operating a radio broadcasting station.
ABS CBN’s current franchise was granted in 1995 through Republic Act 7966. With the law expiring, the network applied for a renewal of its franchise in 2014 but later withdrew the application due to time constraints. It refiled the application in 2016, with Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Micaela Violago sponsoring the bill.
However, the network’s application met strong opposition from Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte accused ABS CBN of not airing some of his campaign ads during the 2016 national elections. In a 2018 speech, the president said that he will reject any application renewal for the network. Duterte later chided the company’s owners to just sell the network to avoid problems.
The network’s legal woes continued in 2020 when Solicitor General Jose Calida issued a quo warranto petition asking the Supreme Court to revoke its franchise. Calida also later said that NTC officials are liable for graft and corruption if they issued a provisional authority to the network. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said in a Senate hearing that the NTC can issue such an authority to allow ABS CBN to operate while their franchise application is still being heard.
ABS CBN Signing Off
Responding to the order, ABS CBN signed off the air at around 7:52 PM on May 5, after the airing of its evening news program TV Patrol. In a statement released on its social media pages, the network said that it trusts that “the government will decide on its franchise with the best interests of Filipinos in mind.” It also assured the public that it will continue its civic programs.
In a video message, ABS CBN President Carlo Katigbak thanked the millions of viewers who supported the network. He also asked for their help in appealing for the renewal of the network’s franchise.
The NTC order covers the network’s flagship Channel 2, as well as its regional and digital broadcast stations. Its 18 FM and 5 AM Stations, including DZMM and MOR, are also included. However, its cable channels and online platforms will remain operational. The network has been given 10 days to respond as to why its frequencies should not be revoked.
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