MANILA – The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) recalled the frequencies assigned ABS-CBN – the erstwhile giant in the broadcast industry.
The recalling of ABS-CBN’s frequencies and channels are warranted due to the absence of a legislative franchise, NTC commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba explained in his signed decision released Thursday.
“The denial of respondent’s franchise renewal application by Congress, coupled with the denial of respondent’s petition by the Supreme Court, lead to no other conclusion except that respondent had already lost the privilege of installing, operating and maintaining radio broadcasting stations in the country,” the NTC said.
“Consequentially, absent a valid legislative franchise, the recall of the frequencies assigned to respondent is warranted,” it added.
All provisional authorities, certificates of public convenience granted to ABS-CBN were also revoked.
ABS-CBN’s free TV and radio channels went off the air on May 5 following the issuance of a cease and desist order by NTC after the broadcast franchise of the network expired last May 4.
The network’s bid for a fresh 25-year franchise was also denied by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises even if the company has been compliant in various tax, trading and labor laws, among others.
The Supreme Court en banc on Aug. 25 also voted to dismiss the plea of ABS-CBN Corp. to stop the closure order issued by the NTC in May.
Since the shutdown, thousands of employees have been retrenched and departments were wiped out including its regional operations./PN
