MANILA - Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. minced no words in castigating the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the House of Representatives for the shutdown of ABS-CBN.

In a series of tweets, Locsin said renewing a media franchise is a “first priority in democracy” for the House of Representatives and does not depend on whether one likes it.

Locsin used to host the public affairs program “Assignment” on ABS-CBN before becoming a congressman.

AND THANK YOU HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. I COME FROM YOU WHERE I WAS PROUD TO SERVE BUT YOU NOW, YOU TODAY HAVE SUNK LOWER THAN IMAGINABLE—AND IN THIS PANDEMIC. THE RENEWAL OF A MEDIA FRANCHISE IS NOT WHETHER YOU OR ANYONE ELSE LIKES IT: IT IS FIRST PRIORITY IN A DEMOCRACY. https://t.co/w3dnL7ERl0

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 6, 2020

He added the House of Representatives “sunk lower than imaginable” amid the shutdown that happened during a pandemic.

“Everything everyone's worked for so hard in government in the service of the Filipino and the first President who genuinely cares for the least Filipino flushed down the toilet with all the great work of the IATF in the pandemic swirling like turd. Thank you NTC and f*ck you!” Locsin said.

Everything everyone's worked for so hard in government in the service of the Filipino and the first President who genuinely cares for the least Filipino flushed down the toilet with all the great work of the IATF in the pandemic swirling like turd. Thank you NTC and fuck you! https://t.co/iwjjEQzwPn

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 6, 2020

Locsin added closing down a major media outlet that has provided news, entertainment and comfort for millions of Filipinos here and abroad is a “shame” for the NTC and Congress.

“I don't watch TV much if at all but shutting down a major media outlet that has provided entertainment and comforting connection to tens of millions of OFWs and 80 million Filipinos, not to mention dependable news of real not made up events is a shame for NTC and Congress,” said the country's top diplomat.

Locsin said no one in the executive branch should move against a media outlet and accuses the one who does of betraying the President.

THE PALACE HAS NO AUTHORITY UNTIL THE FRANCHISE IS GRANTED THEN IT CAN VETO BUT CONGRESS CAN OVERRIDE THAT VETO. BUT NO ONE IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH SHOULD EVER MOVE AGAINST A MEDIA OUTLET TO THE DETESTATION OF THE WORLD. THE ONE WHO DOES HAS BETRAYED THE PRESIDENT. https://t.co/cXm6g2oAiW

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 6, 2020

The NTC issued a cease and desist order against ABS-CBN on Tuesday, a day after the broadcast firm's franchise expired.

While it committed before Congress last March to issue ABS-CBN a provisional authority as the lawmaking body deliberates on the company's franchise renewal bid, the NTC changed its mind, citing a law that requires any entity to first secure a congressional franchise for it.

• NTC sympathizes with ABS-CBN, but law has to be followed - official

The NTC's move, which was immediately executory that prompted ABS-CBN to go off air starting Tuesday night, came after Solicitor General Jose Calida threatened officials of the regulatory agency with prosecution if they grant the broadcast company a provisional permit.

Several bills seeking a fresh 25-year franchise for ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries have been pending in Congress since a few years back.

In a statement, ABS-CBN said it trusts "that the government will decide on our franchise with the best interest of the Filipino people in mind, recognizing ABS-CBN’s role and efforts in providing the latest news and information during these challenging times."

"ABS-CBN remains committed to being in the service of the Filipino and we will find ways to continue providing meaningful service to them," it said.

• NTC orders ABS-CBN to stop broadcasting

News.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.