NTC orders ABS-CBN to cease operations

It also gave ABS-CBN ten days to respond to the Cease and Desist Order and provide reasons why its frequencies shouldn't be recalled. 

Should a response be issued, the NTC will hold a court hearing at the soonest possible time after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) over Metro Manila is lifted. 

The cease and desist order was issued in spite of statements issued by several members of Congress and the Department of Justice supporting the granting of provisional authority by the NTC to ABS-CBN.

These include House Tourism Committee Chair Rep. Sol Aragones, Legislative Franchise Committee head Rep. Franz Alvarez, Legislative Franchise Committee vice chairman Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. 

Deputy speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, Jr. filed a bill on Monday to amend the law on telecommunications and broadcast franchises. 

He argues that the law on legislative franchises, Republic Act 7925 covers only public telecommunications entities, and not broadcast companies such as TV and radio stations. This implies that ABS-CBN is not covered by the requirement to have a legislative franchise. 

Solicitor General Jose S. Calida warned the NTC on Sunday against granting ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiaries provisional authority to operate.

The NTC released a memorandum order last March 16 to allow broadcasting companies with expiring permits to operate for 60 days after the lifting of the ECQ.