NTC: ABS-CBN will be allowed to operate beyond May 4
MANILA, Philippines — Media network giant ABS-CBN will be allowed to operate even after its franchise expires on May 4, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said Tuesday.
NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said they will follow the advice of the Department of Justice (DOJ), allowing ABS-CBN to operate while its franchise renewal bid is pending in Congress.
In a letter dated February 12, NTC sought advice from DOJ on whether or not to allow ABS-CBN to continue its operations beyond May 4.
Quoting DOJ’s reply to NTC, Cordoba said: “Based on the foregoing discussions, there is sufficient equitable basis to allow broadcast entities to continue operating while the bills on the renewal of their respective franchise with Congress.”
He then said that NTC will “likely” issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN.
“The NTC will follow the latest advice of the DOJ and let ABS-CBN continue operations based on equity,” Cordoba said.
