Thread by @assortedge

EXPLAINER: Following the NTC‘s cease and desist order, ABS-CBN TV Channel, DZMM, and MOR went off the air on May 5, 2020 at exactly 07:52:08 pm — a historic moment for Philippine TV.

From KBO, tax issues, to foreign ownership, here's what you need to know about the media giant.

The Alto Broadcasting System - Chronicle Broadcasting Network (ABS-CBN) is the biggest television network in the Philippines and is the oldest in Southeast Asia.

In 1995, the network was granted a renewal of franchise through RA 7966 that gave ABS-CBN a 25-year authorization to broadcast until May 4, 2020.

Why do broadcast networks need to secure congressional franchise? Here's why:

What’s taking ABS-CBN’s franchise so long?

Three major points:

1. Duterte's personal vendetta
2. Cayetano's stonewalling leadership
3. Calida and his agenda

Personal Vendetta: Duterte, in his speeches, has repeatedly attacked the press, particularly ABS-CBN, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Rappler — media outfits known to be critical of his administration.

In response to Duterte's accusations, ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak clarified that the network aired all of Duterte’s national campaign ads.

Calida & His Agenda: SolGen Jose Calida, a staunch Marcos loyalist, is also one of the key players against the franchise renewal.

Fun fact: He headed a campaign alliance called “Alyansang Duterte-Bongbong (AlDuB)” in support of the tandem of the then Duterte and Marcos in 2016.

On Kapamilya Box Office (KBO) and TV Plus: ABS-CBN said that their "broadcast offerings, including KBO, have received the necessary government and regulatory approvals and are not prohibited by our franchise."

On foreign ownership: ABS-CBN said that their PDRs were evaluated and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Philippine Stock Exchange prior to its public offering.

On tax issues: ABS-CBN was cleared by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). In fact, the network is one of the biggest taxpayers in the country.

Cayetano's Stonewalling Leadership: ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal was never a priority under the leadership of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.

Pending Bills: 12 franchise renewal bills were already filed for ABS-CBN Corporation and one for ABS-CBN Convergence.

All are still pending because the bills are "not that urgent," as stated by the Speaker himself.

Cayetano's stonewalling leadership was called out by several lawmakers after the shutdown of the media giant. "Kasalanan ni Speaker Cayetano ito. Pagkukulang niya ito sa bayan," Representative Lito Atienza said.

In the context of this issue, provisional authority (PA) is a temporary permit granted to a broadcast network while Congress continues to deliberate its bid for franchise renewal.

Were there provisional authorities given before? Apparently, there was a Memorandum of Understanding in 1994 that allowed such.

SolGen Calida on May 3, pressured the National Telecommunications Commission saying it cannot grant provisional authority because of constitutional reasons.

NTC may be held in contempt after they backtracked their commitment according to Representative Franz Alvarez, Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.

ANC will continue its operations because the NTC order "does not cover cable news channels." In addition, the network's online platforms will still be available to the public.

When there is repression of the media, there is repression of our freedom as a nation.

References:

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