ABS-CBN Corporation signs off

The corporation’s TV and radio stations, including ABS-CBN’s TV channels, DZMM and all its subsidiaries cease operations at the same time. 

The corporation in a statement said it will comply with the order despite support from some lawmakers and government officials for its continued operations. 

The House of Representatives’ committee on legislative franchises, Justice secretary  Menardo Guevarra and NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba each expressed support for granting ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate. 

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano in a DZMM interview last week assured that there is no move to shut the network down.

Congressman Juan Miguel Zubiri says he is saddened by the issuance of a cease and desist order. 

“Where information is key to our people’s survival and yet the NTC chooses to shut down a major Television and Radio network that disseminates important information to the public. Not to mention the loss of thousands of jobs at a time when our economy is in a possible recession due to Covid 19,” he said.

Zubiri, a former legislative franchise committee chairperson, adds he knew of several radio stations and telecommunications companies who were allowed to operate by the NTC while awaiting congressional action on their application. 

The corporation said it “trusts that the government will decide on their 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.”