ABS-CBN shutdown ruling unanimous, unshakable, says NTC

ABS-CBN News

Posted at May 06 2020 01:46 PM

ABS-CBN shutdown ruling unanimous, unshakable, says NTC 1
A store-owner watches the final airing of TV Patrol moments before ABS-CBN signed off on May 5, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The National Telecommunications Commission decided unanimously to stop ABS-CBN Corp's broadcast and a reversal of the ruling is unlikely, one of its 3 members said Wednesday.

ABS-CBN Corp, to resume TV and radio operations, should secure a temporary restraining order from the Court of Appeals against the NTC or have lawmakers approve a new franchise, said Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios.

The broadcaster has 10 days to respond to the NTC's cease and desist order, Cabarios said. The regulator shuttered ABS-CBN despite a request from lawmakers to grant the company provisional authority to operate beyond the expiry of its franchise on May 4 as they need more time to deliberate on its renewal.

"It was a unanimous decision….It’s really a very difficult decision on our part but after reviewing all the possible options wala eh. Only one option that’s available, ‘yung CDO (cease and desist order)," Cabarios told ABS-CBN News.

"It was issued already, recalling it won’t be feasible," he added.

While NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba told a Senate hearing last February that ABS-CBN could operate on provisional authority, the commission received contrary positions.

The NTC has no choice but to follow the law, he said, adding the fate of ABS-CBN's 11,000 workers was considered in the decision.

--- report from Alvin Elchico, ABS-CBN News