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Wikipedia

ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy

January 13, 2023

The ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy is a national dispute in the Philippines regarding the renewal of the congressional franchise that would have allowed Philippine media network ABS-CBN to continue broadcasting.[12][13][14]

ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy
ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center, the headquarters of media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation, in March 2020
DateMay 5, 2020; 2 years ago (2020-05-05)
Cause
Participants
Outcome
  • ABS-CBN broadcast franchise, granted on March 30, 1995, expired on May 4, 2020
  • National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist order on ABS-CBN, effectively ceasing broadcast operations on May 5 Tuesday
  • ABS-CBN Corporation filed petitions before the Supreme Court of the Philippines on May 7, seeking to nullify the NTC's cease and desist order
  • National Telecommunications Commission and Solicitor General Jose Calida issued two alias cease and desist orders on ABS-CBN TV Plus and Sky Direct, effectively ceasing operations on June 30
  • The House of Representatives, particularly the Committee on Legislative Franchises, voted 70–11 to deny the franchise application of ABS-CBN[5][1]
  • The frequencies assigned to ABS-CBN were recalled by NTC on September 10
  • ABS-CBN resumed broadcasting through pay-TV Kapamilya Channel on June 13, and free-to-air A2Z Channel 11 (via ZOE TV) on October 10
  • House Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano urges NTC and BIR to investigate the blocktime agreement of ABS-CBN and ZOE Broadcasting Network (A2Z)[6][7]
  • Former rival TV5 started simulcast of selected ABS-CBN programming on January 24, 2021
  • The former television frequencies of ABS-CBN were reassigned to different companies in January 2022[8][9][10]
  • ABS-CBN acquired 34.99% minority stake on TV5 Network in August 2022[11]

Disputes between the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and ABS-CBN arose on the terms and conditions of the franchise renewal agreement. Amid the controversy, the Congress of the Philippines, country's legislature, was unable to renew the franchise before its expiration date. The congressional franchise expired on May 4, 2020, as the Philippines was dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.[15] The next day, exercising constitutional powers, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) then issued a cease-and-desist order demanding ABS-CBN to cease all of its free TV and radio broadcasting immediately. ABS-CBN complied with the government order and shut down all of its radio stations and free television channels later that day.[12] On June 30, 2020, the NTC and Solicitor General Jose Calida released two alias cease-and-desist orders against ABS-CBN TV Plus and Sky Direct.[16]

Beginning in 2014 (during the presidency of Benigno Aquino III), the network had repeatedly applied for the renewal of their broadcast franchise through private bills that had been pending in the House of Representatives but had not been addressed by the 16th, 17th, and 18th congresses of the Philippines.[12][13][17] Prominent figures in ABS-CBN Corporation, the political opposition in the Philippines, media advocacy groups,[13] and the international press[12][15] have labeled the refusal of Congress to renew the franchise as a result of Duterte's pressure for ABS-CBN to cease broadcasting and a direct attack on the country's democracy and press freedoms, although sources from the previous administration reported that there was lack of support for renewal because "Mr. Aquino’s allies felt the criticisms against the President were too personal and offensive and went to the point of nitpicking."[18] Duterte's ruling coalition maintains a supermajority in both chambers of Congress,[19][20] and Duterte criticized the ABS-CBN Network for their allegedly biased and unfavorable news coverage against Duterte beginning with his presidential campaign in the 2016 Philippine presidential election,[21] repeatedly voicing his opposition against the renewal of the network's congressional franchise.[22] ABS-CBN subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court of the Philippines to nullify as unconstitutional the cease-and-desist order.

The resulting franchise expiration and withdrawal of its broadcast rights marked the first time ABS-CBN, considered a historical and cultural icon in the Philippines, had been off the air since the 1986 revolution, having been seized and liquidated by the authoritarian government of the Martial Law dictatorship from 1972 until the regime's collapse in 1986.[12] Critics of the Duterte government consider the NTC's cease-and-desist order and the denial of the franchise application as contributing to a growing democratic backsliding in the Philippines under the Duterte administration.[23]

Background

Congressional franchise to operate television and radio stations

As prescribed by the American Insular government-era Act No. 3846, or the Radio Control Act, which became effective in 1931 (later amended in 1963), broadcasting networks require a congressional franchise to operate television and radio stations, which usually lasts for up to 25 years.[24] ABS-CBN, which had been operating since June 13, 1946, made its first television broadcast on October 23, 1953, had last been granted a 25-year franchise extension on March 30, 1995, under Republic Act No. 7966 (but later implemented on May 4, 1995). This expired on May 4, 2020, as upheld by the Department of Justice (DOJ).[25]

Press freedom and democracy issues

The Philippines is touted to have the "freest and liveliest press" in Asia,[26][27][28] where media is considered a watchdog[29] and a "fourth estate" helping to maintain the checks and balances of democratic governance.[30][31]

Despite this, the country is consistently ranked as one of the world's most dangerous countries for journalists.[32][33][34] In May 2020, it slipped two spots down to 136th place (out of 180 countries) in the World Press Freedom Index.[35]

Media watchdogs such as Reporters Without Borders,[36] the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility,[37] Amnesty International,[38] the Photojournalists' Center of the Philippines (PCP), Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), and the Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation (D&D)[39] have noted that various forms of attacks against the press have increased since the Duterte administration came to power in 2016 – with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, news website Rappler, nonprofit media organizations like Vera Files and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, and ABS-CBN being particular targets because of coverage critical of the administration.[39][32][40]

Many of these media watchdogs[39] have issued statements placing the ABS-CBN broadcast stoppage in the context of systemic attacks against press freedom in the Philippines.[39][40] Media groups and people's organizations denounced the shutdown order for being a loss of democracy, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press.[41][42] Some groups also placed the matter in the context of attacks and harassment aimed at those that criticize the government.[43][42]

ABS-CBN market share

The ABS-CBN broadcast network is acknowledged to be one of the Philippines' oldest and most influential media networks, run by the Lopez family.[14] The company generates about 50 to 60 percent of the group's total annual revenue, mainly from selling airtime of its television and radio properties to advertisers. The remaining revenue is generated from consumer sales through the distribution of cable and international channels, operations of over-the-top platform services, and a family entertainment center in Taguig. According to the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), ABS-CBN Corporation controlled "somewhere between 31% and 44%" of the Philippines' total television market as of 2020.[44]

Prior broadcast stoppage under Ferdinand Marcos

Main article: Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos

Before the 2020 stoppage, ABS-CBN had been closed down on September 23, 1972, when martial law under Ferdinand Marcos was announced and the station's television and radio stations were sequestered.[45][46] Marcos' Letter of Instruction No. 1-A, signed September 22, 1972 and addressed to the Secretary of the Department of National Defense, accused ABS-CBN and the Associated Broadcasting Corporation (now known as TV5) of delivering "deliberately slanted and overly exaggerated news stories and commentaries," of promoting the ends of the Communist Party of the Philippines, and of having been instrumental in an assassination attempt on Marcos.[47] This stoppage lasted until July 1986, when the sequestered stations were recovered, and the frequencies returned to ABS-CBN.

During those 13 years, use of the company's frequencies (except DZXL-AM 620, awarded to KBS/RPN as DWWW, DZMM-AM 1000, awarded to GMA (later Nation Broadcasting Corporation) as DWXX (now DZAR Sonshine Radio), DZMY-AM 1160 awarded to BBC as DWWA, DZQL-AM 830, awarded to Office of Civil Defense as DZCA, and DZXL-TV 4, awarded to the government-owned National Media Production Center for the launch of Government Television as DWGT-TV in 1974) was awarded to the Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) owned by Marcos crony and sugar plantation owner Roberto Benedicto and was launched on November 4, 1973. Under martial law, BBC formed a de facto media monopoly with Kanlaon Broadcasting System/Radio Philippines Network (KBS/RPN), Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC, acquired in 1975), and government-owned Government Television/Maharlika Broadcasting System (GTV/MBS). The company's headquarters, the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center, was also sequestered without compensation from the network's owners and was renamed as Broadcast Plaza to serve as headquarters of BBC, KBS/RPN, GTV/MBS and, from 1980, the Bureau of Broadcasts (BB).[46][48] Moreover, copies of the old pre-Martial Law ABS-CBN shows had also been lost due to the raid by Marcos troops.[49]

Marcos was eventually deposed by the People Power Revolution of February 1986. The newly created revolutionary government agency Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) sequestered and later dissolved BBC and returned the frequencies to ABS-CBN in July 1986, eventually resuming broadcast on September 16, 1986.[50][51]

History

Early renewal initiatives during the 16th Congress

See also: 16th Congress of the Philippines

In 2014 and 2015, ABS-CBN requested the 16th Congress to tackle the extension of its franchise early, although its renewal was not due until six years later, in 2020.[13]

Media sources in the legislature indicated that the network's 2016 initiative was the result of having been "particularly singled out" by supporters of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte because of the perception that they "consistently showed him in a negative light".[13] The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that a member of the House legislative franchise committee said ABS-CBN "did not want to risk going through the renewal under an 'unfriendly' administration".[119]

The Inquirer's source also said that the initiative "lacked support from President Benigno Aquino III's allies in the House" because they felt that ABS-CBN's criticisms against Aquino were "too personal and offensive and went to the point of nitpicking".[119][13]

ABS-CBN eventually had to withdraw these franchise renewal initiatives due to time constraints.[13]

Ad controversies during the 2016 Philippine presidential campaign

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attributed his objection to the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN to an election ad controversy during the campaign leading up to the 2016 Philippine presidential election. He said the network refused to air his 2016 presidential campaign ads and favored the negative political ads paid by then-vice presidential candidate Antonio Trillanes critical of his remarks on the campaign trail.[120][121]

On February 24, 2020, the network's president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak apologized to Duterte for not airing his political advertisements during his 2016 polls. Duterte accepted the apology, leaving the franchise's renewal to Congress.[122][123] ABS-CBN also offered to return the money spent for these advertisements, which Duterte declined, stating that the money should be donated to a charity instead.[122]

Meanwhile, Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez defended the controversial ad as well within Election Law, under "Partisan Political Activity".[124][125]

Renewal initiatives during the 17th and 18th Congress

Non-renewal assertions by Congress

Throughout his term, which coincides with the 17th and 18th Congress, Duterte publicly reiterated that he would oppose the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.[22][60]

Opposition lawmakers, as well as labor groups, objected to Duterte's stand on ABS-CBN as the franchise non-renewal will compromise the employees of the network; stating that the blocking of the franchise renewal had no merit.[126] Opposition groups have expressed their opinions that the non-renewal of the franchise violates press freedom.[39]

Duterte later changed his stance after the network's apology, stating that he would not interfere with the franchise renewal in Congress. However, Duterte did not say whether he would veto the bill or not.[122][123]

17th Congress

In November 2016, Nueva Ecija representative Micaela Violago filed House Bill 4349 in the 17th Congress to renew the network's franchise.[127][128] The 17th Congress adjourned sine die with the bill never getting out of committee.[129]

Deliberations during the 18th Congress

During the 18th Congress of the Philippines, at least 12 house representatives and two senators filed their versions for a new network franchise. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano made assurances that Congress will tackle the franchise with fairness.[130]

Bills filed in the 18th Congress for ABS-CBN's franchise renewal
Bill number Author/s Date filed Ref
HB 676 Micaela Violago July 1, 2019 [61]
HB 3064 Jericho Nograles July 29, 2019 [62]
HB 3521 Rose Marie "Baby" Arenas August 6, 2019 [63]
HB 3713 Joy Myra Tambunting, Joseph Stephen Paduano (withdrew on July 9, 2020) August 8, 2019 [64]
HB 3947 Sol Aragones August 14, 2019 [65]
SB 981 Ralph Recto August 28, 2019 [66]
HB 4305 Vilma Santos-Recto September 2, 2019 [67]
HB 5608 Aurelio Gonzales, Johnny Pimentel, Salvador "Doy" Leachon November 25, 2019 [69]
HB 5705 Rufus Rodriguez December 4, 2019 [72]
HB 5753 Josephine Ramirez-Sato December 9, 2019 [73]
HB 6052 Carlos Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite, Eufemia Cullamat, France Castro, Sarah Jane Elago January 27, 2020 [77]
HB 6138 Mark Go January 30, 2020 [78]
HB 6293 Loren Legarda February 13, 2020 [80]
SB 1403 Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. March 5, 2020 [92]

On January 6, 2020, Albay representative Edcel Lagman filed House Resolution 639, urging the House Committee on Legislative Franchises for its immediate action on the several bills lodged to the committee.[75] At least 91 other representatives signed the resolution.[76]

On February 24, 2020, the Congress finally made its decision to tackle their franchise renewal.[131] During a Senate hearing on the same day, public services panel chair Grace Poe stated they were to tackle ABS-CBN's compliance with the terms and conditions of its franchise.[132] The conclusion was that there was no breach of laws or franchise terms. The following is a summary of the findings:

  1. The Bureau of Internal Revenue stated that ABS-CBN had fully complied with the tax requirements of the government. Sir Cabantac Jr., BIR Large Taxpayers Service head stated that the company had paid P14.298 billion from 2016 to 2019. In 2019, ABS-CBN also settled P152.44 million in tax payments with the BIR.[133]
  2. The Department of Labor and Employment cleared the media giant for its compliance with general labor standards, occupational safety and health, and security of tenure. Former ABS-CBN corporate services head Mark Nepomuceno said they also have contributed to mandatory employee benefits such as Social Security System, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund. He also stated that ABS-CBN was no longer practicing end-of-contract scheme, as well as giving benefits to independent contributors varying per contract negotiation[133]
  3. Telecommunications Commissioner General Gamaliel Cordoba stated that franchise laws cover "commercial purposes", including pay-per-view service. Section 1 of Republic Act 7908, which allows ABS-CBN Covergence's broadcast operations, states that: "It is hereby granted a franchise to construct, operate, and maintain, for commercial purposes." Even though ABS-CBN introduced the service without NTC guidelines yet, the fine for such violation is a measly P200. Senate President Recto stated that the NTC can just impose a fine on ABS-CBN rather than shutdown.[133]
  4. Securities and Exchange Commission Commissioner Ephyro Amatong clarified that a legal interpretation from 1999 stated that Philippine Depository Receipts were not equivalent to certificates of ownership, which may have evolved in recent years. Senator Poe pointed out that companies should be notified of any changes in the legal interpretation of the investment instrument, as all media companies have to be 100% Filipino-owned. Issuing PDRs is a common practice among Philippine media outfits—including Rappler and GMA. The SEC has not yet conducted a review whether there are violations in ABS-CBN's PDRs, with Amatong saying he "would rather not make a categorical statement at this time" as to whether there are violations in ABS-CBN's PDRs, given the pending case at the Supreme Court, as of May 6, 2020.[133]

Quo warranto petition

On February 10, 2020, Solicitor General of the Philippines Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court of the Philippines seeking to revoke ABS-CBN's franchise and that of its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence over alleged breaches of its franchise, including operating its pay-per-view service Kapamilya Box Office (KBO), constitutional restriction on foreign ownership of mass media, and resorted to an ingenious corporate layering scheme, to transfer its subsidiary's franchise without Congressional approval.[134] The network responded to disprove the allegations leveled against it.[135]

Within the same month, various congressmen urged the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to grant a provisional authority to ABS-CBN to continue operations after the lapse of its current franchise until Congress should have decided on its franchise application.[136] Having consulted with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the NTC affirmed in March 2020 that it would "likely" issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN and "let ABS-CBN continue operations based on equity".[137] However, the Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Associations of the Philippines (FICTAP) questioned the provisional authority, stating that it would be unconstitutional.[138]

On June 23, 2020, the Supreme Court of the Philippines dismissed the quo warranto petition to revoke ABS-CBN Corporation's franchise, stating that the petition was moot and academic as the franchise had already expired, therefore the Court would not be changing anything by voiding the franchise ab initio.[139] However, the quo warranto petition filed against ABS-CBN Convergence Inc. for allegedly illegally operating KBO[15] remains pending.[140]

Planned provisional authority cancellation

On March 5, 2020, lawyer Larry Gadon filed a petition for prohibition before the Supreme Court of the Philippines, seeking to stop Telecommunications Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, and House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chairman Franz Alvarez from issuing ABS-CBN's provisional authority, saying the provisional authority to operate violates the doctrine of separation of powers.[141]

Sixteen days after the shutdown, Gadon announces that he is withdrawing the petition which he filed, seeking to stop Cordoba, Cayetano, and Alvarez from issuing provisional authority, stating that was rendered moot and the act sought to be prevented no longer exists.[142]

On June 2, 2020, the Supreme Court of the Philippines dismissed the petition for the prohibition against Telecommunications Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, and House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chairman Franz Alvarez from issuing provisional authority, stating that the court does not deem it efficient.[143]

May 2020 broadcast stoppage

 
The sign-off message broadcast by DWWX-TV (ABS-CBN Manila) before stopping all broadcasts at 7:52 pm (PST) in compliance with the NTC order
External video
  "ABS-CBN goes off air in compliance with NTC order", ABS-CBN News via YouTube
 
The logo of ABS-CBN during its 2020 shutdown
 
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
ABS-CBN Shutdown Message (May 5, 2020)

On May 3, 2020, Calida warned the NTC against granting the provisional authority to ABS-CBN, citing a Supreme Court decision in 2014, stating that provisional authority can only be granted after the franchise is secured in Congress.[136][134] In the same statement, Calida cautioned that the agency would put itself at risk of prosecution under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act should they issue the provisional authority without a legal franchise being held by ABS-CBN's operating companies and that a 1991 DOJ opinion stating the NTC may issue provisional authority without a legal franchise was overturned by the Supreme Court.[134]

On May 5, 2020, Philippine House Committee on Legislative Franchises chairperson Franz Alvarez warned the NTC from backtracking. If they did, the NTC could be held in contempt for refusal to issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN.[144] Six days before, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises issued a show cause order against NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, Deputy Commissioners Edgardo Cabarios, Delilah Deles, and Legal Branch Head Ella Blanca Lopez to explain why should not be cited in contempt for issuing the cease and desist order against ABS-CBN.[145] The NTC responded by stating that it was legally bound to order the shutdown of ABS-CBN and apologized to the House of Representatives for failing to notify it of the shutdown order.[146]

On the same day, NTC issued a cease and desist order to immediately close its free-to-air broadcasting operations, including its radio stations DZMM, S+A, and MOR Philippines, following the expiration of its broadcast franchise the day before.[147][148][149][150] The cease and desist order covers 42 free television stations operated by ABS-CBN across the country, including the main ABS-CBN Network, ten digital broadcast channels, 18 FM stations, and five AM stations. However, ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), The Filipino Channel (TFC), DZMM TeleRadyo (renamed TeleRadyo due to the inclusion of DZMM in the order), and its sister cable channels (run by subsidiary Creative Programs including Metro Channel, which was named after Metro Magazines whose publisher is ABS-CBN Publishing), as well as its online properties, and production companies Star Music and Star Cinema, were allowed to continue as their operations are not contingent on the legislative franchise.[151]

Following the news program TV Patrol, the network signed off the air at 7:52 pm (PST). ABS-CBN executives Carlo Katigbak and Mark Lopez aired statements on the program appealing the NTC's cease and desist order.[152][153] The newscast was also simulcast on DZMM, S+A, and MOR stations.[154] DZMM radio and television counterpart signed off at 8:20 pm, following SRO: Suhestyon, Reaksyon at Opinyon and rebranded simply as TeleRadyo following the newscast and the digital television networks available on ABS-CBN TV Plus including Asianovela Channel, Movie Central, and the terrestrial operations of Jeepney TV, Myx, O Shopping, and Knowledge Channel also signed off. After the cease and desist order, Cine Mo!, Yey!, and the KBO remain unaffected (during the television premiere of The Mall, The Merrier on KBO channel from May 1–6, 2020).

Along with the order, NTC gave ABS-CBN 10 days to explain why its assigned frequencies should not be recalled.[155] In response on May 15, 2020, ABS-CBN reasoned that "it would be detrimental to the public interest as it would hamper the ability of ABS-CBN to immediately resume serving the public through its broadcasts, once the franchise is granted".[156] Additionally, House Bill 6732 was proposed by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on May 13, 2020, which would have granted the network a provisional franchise to operate until October 31, 2020.[156][157] Subsequently, on May 27, 2020, NTC was told to refrain from carrying out the recall while the Congress deliberates on the measures to grant provisional franchise and a fresh franchise.[158]

Post-shutdown developments

Network programming and legal action

On May 7, 2020, TV Patrol resumed broadcast on ABS-CBN News Channel, as it simulcast the program from the leading network since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic programming changes.[159] It was also simulcast on its news website, its Facebook and YouTube pages, as well as on The Filipino Channel to viewers outside the country. On May 8, 2020, the following day, TV Patrol began airing on Cine Mo! and returned on TeleRadyo.[160]

ABS-CBN Corporation filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition as well as temporary restraining order (TRO) to the Supreme Court of the Philippines, seeking to nullify the NTC's cease and desist order on May 7, 2020.[161] (See § Supreme Court case below.) The Senate and the House of the Representatives filed respective bills urging NTC to reconsider its order, as well as to abolish the agency itself.[162][163]

On May 8, 2020, DZMM TeleRadyo, now rebranded as simply TeleRadyo, resumed its regular programming airing the usual DZMM programming format.[164] TeleRadyo is carried through ABS-CBN TV Plus, making it one of three exclusive channels (the others being Cine Mo! and Yey!) that remain operational on digital free-to-air television after the NTC's order takes effect.[164] ABS-CBN later clarified in a statement that the three channels, along with Kapamilya Box Office channel, continued broadcasting and received in Metro Manila, Laguna province, Iloilo province, and selected areas of Baguio through a block time agreement with AMCARA Broadcasting Network (former owner of Studio 23 from its 1996 launch until ABS-CBN acquired a stake in AMCARA in 2010) owned by the Carandang family. On the same day, MOR Philippines also resumed its online and cable operations through a national programming service set up by the network's flagship station in Metro Manila.[165]

On May 11, 2020, House Representatives Paolo Duterte, Eric Go Yap, and Abraham Tolentino filed House Resolution No. 853, seeking to probe into the corporation's possible violation of its franchise.[166][167][168]

On June 1, 2020, Jeepney TV and Asianovela Channel resumed broadcasting on ABS-CBN TV Plus as temporary channel replacements for ABS-CBN and S+A, but both channels are still on free trial.[169]

On June 4, 2020, ABS-CBN announced on TV Patrol that a cable-and-satellite channel named Kapamilya Channel would launch on June 13, resuming the productions of ABS-CBN's dramas and live entertainment shows and airing its entertainment, educational, and current affairs programming, along with temporary movie blocks.[170] However, because of the network's temporary suspension of production of entertainment programs during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (and later shutdown), the dramas Pamilya Ko and Make It With You confirmed their cancellations and failed to complete their respective stories.[171][172] Comedy gag show Banana Sundae would also not return to air.[173]

On June 30, 2020, the NTC and Solicitor General Jose Calida issued an alias cease-and-desist order demanding ABS-CBN TV Plus to stop further broadcasting all of its digital free-to-air channels on UHF Channel 43 in Metro Manila and some provinces, as well as Sky Direct to stop broadcasting nationwide as compliance to President Duterte's Objection to its franchise bid.[16]

The Supreme Court initially set the date of tackling ABS-CBN's petition for a TRO on July 13,[174] however, it was moved to August 4.

Congressional hearings for a new franchise

On May 13, 2020, House Bill 6732, proposed by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, which grants the network a provisional franchise to operate until October 31, 2020 "unless sooner revoked or canceled", was approved by the House of Representatives convening as a Committee of the Whole. The said bill was awaiting for third and final reading after which it would have been transmitted to the Senate;[157][175] but on May 19, 2020, the proposal was withdrawn with the chamber opting to go straight to hearing measures seeking to grant the media giant a fresh 25-year franchise.[176]

  • The first day of hearings was held on May 26, under the auspices of the Joint Committee for Legislative Franchises, Good Governance, and Public Accountability, where ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak and Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta gave their respective side's opening statements.[177]
  • The second day, held on June 1, tackled the media conglomerate's ownership concerns.[178]
  • The third day was held on June 3, mainly focused on Eugenio Lopez III's citizenship.[179]
  • The fourth hearing was held on June 8, which also focused on Lopez III's citizenship.[180] These first days of the hearings focused on Eugenio Lopez III dual citizenship status being a Filipino and an American citizen at the same time.
  • The fifth hearing was held on June 11, which tackled the legalities of ABS-CBN's issuance of PDRs or Philippine Depositary Receipts.[181] During the course of the hearing, the PDRs were determined to be legal but these raised questions on the real motives of the financial instrument.
  • The sixth hearing was held on June 15, tackled the media conglomerate's closure during Marcos regime and return to the Lopez family after the People Power Revolution in 1986.[182] Questions on the return to the Lopez family were raised in particular to the arbitrary procedure and the settlement agreement that were agreed upon.
  • The seventh hearing was held on June 17, which was attended by former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, tackled the constitutional 50-year limit on congressional franchises and airing of a program on DXAS-TV (ABS-CBN Davao) hosted by Duterte called Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa.[183]
  • The eighth hearing was held on June 29, tackled the network's blocktime agreement with AMCARA Broadcasting Network for continuous airing of the network's programs on free-to-air digital television through DWBM-TV (UHF Channel 43) in ABS-CBN TV Plus set-top box in Metro Manila, Laguna, selected areas of Baguio, and Iloilo.[184] During the hearings, questions were raised both to AMCARA and ABS-CBN on the seemingly long term block time arrangements.
  • The ninth hearing was held on June 30, tackled the media conglomerate's labor issues.[185] Questions were raised on program-based contracts and independent contractors which are prevalent in most broadcasting companies.[186]
  • The tenth hearing was held on July 1, tackled the media conglomerate's tax delinquencies.[citation needed] Questions were raised regarding the actual tax payments of ABS-CBN pointing out to government tax incentives that were availed.[citation needed]
  • The eleventh hearing was held on July 2, continuing the issues on taxes and labor practices.[citation needed]
  • The twelfth hearing was held on July 6, tackling allegations of biased reporting from the network and its coverage of the 2016 general election, and also tackled issues regarding bias and morality on some past ABS-CBN news and programs.[citation needed]
  • The thirteenth hearing which was a summation of arguments was held on July 9, with Representatives Carlos Zarate and Rodante Marcoleta respectively delivering the closing arguments for, and against the renewal.[citation needed]
  • On July 10, members of the House of Representatives, particularly the Committee on Legislative Franchises, voted 70–11 to deny the franchise application of ABS-CBN, citing several issues on the network's franchise.[5][1]

Supreme Court case

ABS-CBN Corporation v. National Telecommunications Commission
 
CourtSupreme Court of the Philippines
SubmittedMay 7, 2020
StartedMay 19, 2020
VerdictDismissed (holding for the NTC)
CitationG.R. No. 252119[187]
Questions presented
Is the ABS-CBN broadcast stoppage of "transcendental" constitutional importance? If so, was the NTC's CDO legal?
Outcome
As Congress has the sole authority to grant legislative franchises, the Court would be acting beyond its authority under the principle of the separation of powers if it were to restore either ABS-CBN's temporary NTC permit to use the frequencies it had once been assigned, or for that matter its permanent franchise.

On May 7, 2020, ABS-CBN filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition asking the Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the National Telecommunications Commission's cease and desist order.[188][189] If granted, this TRO would allow them to operate until the case is decided.[190] However, some lawyers have questioned the legal merits of the petition,[189][191] as it was filed right to the Supreme Court, even before a motion for reconsideration before the NTC or a case in the Court of Appeals.[189] In the petition, ABS-CBN argues that it is proper to have filed first in the Supreme Court, as the case in their view involves "genuine issues of constitutionality that must be addressed at the most immediate time"[188]: 17  and that their petition is of "transcendental importance".[188]: 18  On May 18, Larry Gadon filed a motion for consolidation against the ABS-CBN's temporary restraining order, stating that it violates the hiearchy of the courts and the case must be filed at the CA.[192] The following day, the Court accepted the case, ordered the NTC to reply, and impleaded both the House and Senate and dismissing Gadon's plea for a consolidation.[193] The NTC filed its required comment on May 26.[194]

The Supreme Court set a further hearing for July 13 on the merits of the petition, though there may not be a ruling on that date.[195] However, the hearing was rescheduled to August 4, 2020.[196]

The petition to issue a temporary restraining order was dismissed by the Supreme Court on August 25, 2020.[197][198] In its ruling, the Court invoked the principle of the separation of powers, leaving the matter to Congress.[187]

Blocktime deals and partnership agreements

ZOE Broadcasting Network

On October 6, 2020, ABS-CBN Corporation announced a blocktime deal with ZOE Broadcasting Network to air selected ABS-CBN shows from its owned television network on Channel 11's A2Z (formerly ZOE TV) beginning on October 10, after almost three years of speculated rumors. Alongside, the network would also air Light TV-produced programs, ZOE's content partners including CBN Asia and Trinity Broadcasting Network, and others including its blocktimers, licensors, and providers, similar to what GMA News TV (formerly QTV/Q and later GTV) has done before.[199][200]

A month of launching of the said new channel, the NTC were reportedly to investigate ABS-CBN and ZOE Broadcasting Network if the said blocktime agreement of two stations are processed in legal ways.[6][7]

Brightlight Productions and TV5/Cignal

On January 18, 2021, the Philippine Star's entertainment columnist Ricky Lo reported that a possible partnership between ABS-CBN and its rival TV5 might happen very soon through its programming partner Cignal TV, which will allow ABS-CBN to air its programs on the rival network and its regional stations, aside from its existing agreement with ZOE Broadcasting Network (which only limited to Mega Manila area).[201] The partnership become evident when ABS-CBN's flagship Sunday variety show ASAP Natin 'To is reported to be carried on TV5 beginning January 24, replacing Sunday Noontime Live! (which was headlined by some ABS-CBN talents).[202] Both ABS-CBN and TV5 later confirmed this move in collaboration with Brightlight Productions and Cignal TV on January 21, with a movie block FPJ: Da King starring Fernando Poe Jr. also included in the Sunday's lineup.[203][204]

According to TV5 Network and Cignal TV chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan on the addition of more ABS-CBN shows on the network, he said that for now it is "too early" to consider for a said expansion,[205] that is until March 5 where ABS-CBN and TV5 confirmed that ABS-CBN/Kapamilya Channel's Primetime Bida shows will be carried on the said network beginning March 8.[206]

House of Representatives votes on the franchise renewal

The following is a list of how members of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises voted.[207][208]

NO to the resolution denying the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise (11):[209]

YES to the resolution to deny the ABS-CBN franchise (77 - Note: Unofficial list compiled from various news sources. Congressmen refuse to release official list. According to Prof. Jean Franco, associate professor for the University of the Philippines Political Science Department, this translates to lack of transparency and accountability. Franco also stated that the congressmen may be hiding their votes out of fear of vendetta.):[210]

Recused from voting (2):

  • Alfred Vargas – Quezon City, 5th District, citing "conflict of interest."
  • Micaela Violago – Nueva Ecija, 2nd District

Abstained from voting (1):

Recall of frequencies and channels

On September 10, 2020, the NTC issued an order recalling all TV and radio frequencies and channels assigned to ABS-CBN and its related radio and local TV stations. The NTC cited the absence of a "valid legislative franchise" as justification for the order. In addition, the NTC also said that all provisional authorities and certificates of public convenience granted to ABS-CBN were also revoked and canceled.[212][213][214]

2021 franchise approval initiatives

On December 8, 2020, Buhay Party-List Representative and Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza said that the approval of the ABS-CBN franchise might happen on 2021 under the House leadership of Lord Allan Velasco, as he assures the speaker to give some ample time to settle the franchise.[215] On January 4, 2021, Senate President Tito Sotto filed a Senate Bill No. 1967 that seeks to grant ABS-CBN's franchise for another 25 years,[216] with at least 16 senators backing its support for Sotto's bill.[217] Later that day, Batangas 6th District Representative and Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto, one of the 11 representatives who voted in favor of the franchise on July 10, 2020, said that she will refile her same franchise bill in the House,[218] which Santos-Recto filed a House Bill No. 8298 on January 18.[219] However, SAGIP Party-List Representative Rodante Marcoleta, one of the 70 representatives who voted against the franchise on July 10, 2020, and the host of Net 25's public affairs program, Sa Ganang Mamamayan (lit. For Citizens), reiterated that "major changes are needed" for the network to be able to regain its franchise.

On February 9, 2021, during his public address and an IATF meeting over government-owned People's Television Network, Duterte said that he will not allow ABS-CBN to operate, even if a franchise was given to them by Congress until they settle their taxes.[220][221] The following day, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in his Malacañang virtual press briefing, said that Duterte would leave it to the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate ABS-CBN over alleged unpaid taxes and condonation of the network's soured loans.[222][223]

On February 11, 2021, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said that ABS-CBN's franchise renewal will have to wait until 2022.[224][225]

Reassignment of former television frequencies

On July 26, 2021, during Duterte's State of the Nation Address, Duterte intended to reassign the former frequencies of ABS-CBN to different companies.[226]

On January 5, 2022, Advanced Media Broadcasting System (which airs its flagship TV Station ALLTV), backed by the Villar Group through Planet Cable, was awarded a provisional authority license for the Channel 2 analog frequency and its digital counterpart Channel 16 frequency by the National Telecommunications Commission.[8][9] On January 26, Channel 23 was awarded to Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, and Channel 43 was awarded to Sonshine Media Network International.[227]

House of Representatives briefing on the ABS-CBN/TV5 deal and cancellation

On August 16, 2022, the House of Representatives has originally set a briefing on the investment of ABS-CBN in TV5 on August 18,[228] however the briefing was silently announced its cancellation on the following day that was scheduled to happen on that day.[229] Rodante Marcoleta commented on the deal.[230]

Reactions, impacts, effects, and aftermath

Prior to broadcast stoppage

Before the expiration of the broadcast franchise, ABS-CBN talents and employees conducted weekly demonstrations in front of its headquarters in Quezon City as well as in its regional stations from January to February 2020.[231][232] During these demonstrations, presidential daughter and incumbent Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed support for the franchise renewal.[233]

After the broadcast stoppage

 
Supporters of ABS-CBN staging a rally outside the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center on the night of June 3, 2020.

The NTC's cease and desist order on ABS-CBN was met by widespread criticism by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) (in which the network is one of its members),[234] as well as various advocacy groups,[235][236] business organizations,[237][238] the local Catholic church,[239][240][241] and even some members of the Congress. Several journalists and celebrities from the network and its rival GMA Network expressed solidarity with ABS-CBN after it was ordered to cease its radio and TV broadcast.[242][243] In addition, former president Benigno Aquino III criticized the shutdown of ABS-CBN, stating that Duterte and his administration made their own "unnecessary problem".[244] The hashtag #NoToABSCBNShutDown topped the local and worldwide Twitter trending lists the same day.[245]

Within a day, numerous colleges and universities in the Philippines, including the UPLB College of Development Communication, Ateneo de Manila University and its Communication Department, the University of Santo Tomas, St. Scholastica's College and its Mass Communication Department, De La Salle University, and the UP Diliman College of Mass Communication released statements supporting the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.[246]

The network's shutdown was noted to have placed the job security of 11,000 ABS-CBN employees in jeopardy during the COVID-19 pandemic, though the company assured them a stable salary, as well as a complete health and financial benefits for the next two months following the shutdown.[12][15] In response, the government may give a 2-month aid to the employees of ABS-CBN.[247]

GMA Network's shares increased by 24% as the Philippine Stock Exchange voluntarily suspended ABS-CBN's trading. However, investors remained cautious about GMA's stock rally due to the effects of the shutdown on business confidence.[248][249]

Duterte denied involvement with the network's shutdown,[250] despite earlier assertions that he would oppose franchise renewal.[22] His spokesman, Harry Roque, also thanked the network for its assistance to the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.[122][251] According to Roque, Duterte could not mark the bill renewing ABS-CBN's franchise as urgent as it would involve private interest and that Duterte would be neutral to the renewal.[252]

On May 5, 2020, GMA Network's primetime news program 24 Oras, interviewed the Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Association of the Philippines (FICTAP) President Estrellita Juliano Tamano, who claimed that ABS-CBN violated their 1995 legislative broadcast by airing six channels. She argued that ABS-CBN should be instead broadcasting in one channel only and instead file for a new franchise for every channel they broadcast.[253][254]

On May 7, 2020, Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association Inc (PCTA) President Ronaldo Manlapig argued that there is no need to file for a separate franchise for each channel as ABS-CBN uses digital transmission their frequency, hence the multiple channels.[255][256]

Public criticism in the early days after the shutdown revolved around the NTC, for lack of fairness on the agency's cease and desist order on the network, and Congress – especially the lower house – for inaction to pass the franchise renewal bill.[257][258]

ABS-CBN's shutdown received international attention as news websites, magazines, newspapers, and broadcasters from around the world including, The New York Times,[15] The Washington Post,[12] Variety,[259] BBC News,[21] CBS News,[260] Time,[14] Al Jazeera,[150] The Guardian,[261] the Associated Press,[262] ABC News,[263] NHK,[264][265] KBS,[266] Yonhap News Agency,[267] the Financial Times,[268] and The Straits Times[269] published stories on the network's shutdown.[270]

The discontinuation of ABS-CBN's terrestrial broadcast operations created difficulties during the onslaught of Typhoon Vongfong (Ambo), when authorities and residents of some distant provinces, including Aurora, Quezon, and Sorsogon, reported being unable to get updated information about the typhoon from other sources because ABS-CBN was the only national television station whose signal could reach them, and internet data was hard to get in their area.[271][272]

On June 4, 2020, it was announced that Kapamilya Channel would air programs from ABS-CBN such as Ang Probinsyano and ASAP Natin 'To beginning June 13, 2020, on cable and satellite TV providers nationwide.[273]

After the committee vote

Some members of Congress expressed dismay over the decision, including Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who called the denial "defying evidence".[274] Progressive and sectoral groups in the Philippines such as Akbayan, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, and Pamalakaya also slammed the body for the vote.[275] However, on July 13, 2020, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano stood by the decision to deny the network its franchise.

 
Supporters conducting a nightly noise barrage in front of the ABS-CBN headquarters, with ABS-CBN artist Angel Locsin speaking in front

From July 11 until the end of the month, supporters organized a nightly noise barrage in front of the ABS-CBN studios in Quezon City in opposition to the verdict. Other similarly styled demonstrations were held in front of respective ABS-CBN stations in Davao City, Bacolod, and Naga, Camarines Sur.[276][277] On July 26, demonstrations in Cagayan de Oro City were marred after three funeral wreaths containing ribbons glorifying unidentified individuals left the New People's Army in front of the ABS-CBN station in the city. National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Western Mindanao Safety Officer JB Deveza called such action "a form of death threat" aimed to intimidate the network employees, and the action appeared to be a part of a coordinated red-tagging operation.[278]

On July 16, a movement named People's Initiative for Reforms and Movement for Action (PIRMA), an independent and organic collective of concerned Filipinos moving to advance reforms via people's initiative and referendum launched a signature campaign called "PIRMA Kapamilya" that aims to grant ABS-CBN a people's franchise via democratic experiment of a people's initiative.[279] The signature campaign started on July 25 and aimed to gather 7 million signatures nationwide (3% of registered voters in each legislative district and at least 10% of total registered voters) as a requirement for the COMELEC to call for a referendum on the franchise.[280]

In a related manner, Kantar Media Philippines (ABS-CBN's main client and partner) originally announced the closure of its television ratings service by the end of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the broadcast stoppage of ABS-CBN,[281] however, the decision was reversed following the block time deal between ABS-CBN and ZOE, as well as retaining the majority of its existing staff.[282]

In a related manner, boxing promotion company ALA Promotions (promoted the Pinoy Pride series of bouts aired on ABS-CBN and its sister network, S+A) announced its closure on August 18, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the broadcast stoppage of ABS-CBN, while its gym division ALA Gym remained operational.[283][284][285][286][287][288]

Cessations and retrenchments

On July 15, ABS-CBN released a statement that it would lay off a number of its workers and close down some of its business operations in light of the denial of the franchise effective August 31.[289]

According to a town-hall meeting called by management hours before the release of the statement, among the first entities bound to close were:

Other company divisions that announced their respective dissolution and reduction of workforces prior to or beyond the July 15 announcement and the August 31 take effect, unless otherwise noted were:

As of December 31, 2020, there were about 5,932 employees and workers that were displaced, retrenched, or laid-off by the company itself, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Among the notable ones were:[307][308]

Long-term impacts

The ABS-CBN shutdown was attributed to information gaps during the media coverage of typhoons that occurred since November 2020, particularly Super Typhoon Rolly,[309][310] Typhoon Ulysses,[311] Super Typhoon Odette,[312] Super Typhoon Karding and Typhoon Paeng with reports noting the void left by the closure of its provincial news bureaus and lack of a substantial signal reach in provinces far from Manila.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, however, disagreed with netizens claiming that the shutdown of ABS-CBN exposed “information gaps” in calamities such as Super Typhoon Rolly. Responding to a question, Roque said both private and government media are doing their best in providing news updates to keep the public informed.[313] Roque also vehemently refuted the claim of Vice President Leni Robredo that the absence of ABS-CBN's regional unit left some residents in the dark. Roque said his team has been holding public briefings to update Filipinos about the national situation amid recent calamities.[314]

Chilling effect

Media experts noted that the shutdown of ABS-CBN has had a chilling effect on newsrooms in the country.[315][316] Journalism professor Rolando Tolentino defines "chilling effect" as the discouragement of free speech and other legal rights via legal sanction.[317] According to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, after the shutdown, fear had taken over some newsrooms resulting in reluctance to do investigative reports.[315] Journalism professor Danilo Arao said the chilling effect caused coverage by some media outlets to become skewed to favor the President Duterte administration and its supporters.[316]

See also

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January 13, 2023
franchise, renewal, controversy, national, dispute, philippines, regarding, renewal, congressional, franchise, that, would, have, allowed, philippine, media, network, continue, broadcasting, broadcasting, center, headquarters, media, conglomerate, corporation,. The ABS CBN franchise renewal controversy is a national dispute in the Philippines regarding the renewal of the congressional franchise that would have allowed Philippine media network ABS CBN to continue broadcasting 12 13 14 ABS CBN franchise renewal controversyABS CBN Broadcasting Center the headquarters of media conglomerate ABS CBN Corporation in March 2020DateMay 5 2020 2 years ago 2020 05 05 CausePolitical campaign advertisement controversies during the 2016 electionAlleged violations to the now expired broadcast franchiseMultiple labor cases 1 American citizenship of Eugenio Lopez III 1 Issuance of the Philippine depository receipts 1 On the 50 year limit on franchises 2 Return of the ABS CBN to the Lopez family after the People Power RevolutionABS CBN TV Plus box and KBO pay per view 1 ABS CBN s blocktime agreement with AMCARA 3 4 Failure to regularize its employees 1 Tax avoidance 1 Biased reporting 1 Inappropriate program content 1 Political meddling 1 ParticipantsABS CBN Corporation Sky Cable Corporation Senate of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines National Telecommunications Commission NTC Department of Labor and Employment DOLE Department of Justice DOJ Bureau of Internal Revenue BIR Movie and Television Review and Classification Board MTRCB Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas KBP AMCARA Broadcasting Network Securities and Exchange Commission SEC Philippine Economic Zone Authority PEZA Commission on Elections COMELEC Solicitor General Jose Calida President Rodrigo DuterteOutcomeABS CBN broadcast franchise granted on March 30 1995 expired on May 4 2020National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist order on ABS CBN effectively ceasing broadcast operations on May 5 TuesdayABS CBN Corporation filed petitions before the Supreme Court of the Philippines on May 7 seeking to nullify the NTC s cease and desist orderNational Telecommunications Commission and Solicitor General Jose Calida issued two alias cease and desist orders on ABS CBN TV Plus and Sky Direct effectively ceasing operations on June 30The House of Representatives particularly the Committee on Legislative Franchises voted 70 11 to deny the franchise application of ABS CBN 5 1 The frequencies assigned to ABS CBN were recalled by NTC on September 10ABS CBN resumed broadcasting through pay TV Kapamilya Channel on June 13 and free to air A2Z Channel 11 via ZOE TV on October 10House Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano urges NTC and BIR to investigate the blocktime agreement of ABS CBN and ZOE Broadcasting Network A2Z 6 7 Former rival TV5 started simulcast of selected ABS CBN programming on January 24 2021The former television frequencies of ABS CBN were reassigned to different companies in January 2022 8 9 10 ABS CBN acquired 34 99 minority stake on TV5 Network in August 2022 11 Disputes between the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and ABS CBN arose on the terms and conditions of the franchise renewal agreement Amid the controversy the Congress of the Philippines country s legislature was unable to renew the franchise before its expiration date The congressional franchise expired on May 4 2020 as the Philippines was dealing with the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic and the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon 15 The next day exercising constitutional powers the National Telecommunications Commission NTC then issued a cease and desist order demanding ABS CBN to cease all of its free TV and radio broadcasting immediately ABS CBN complied with the government order and shut down all of its radio stations and free television channels later that day 12 On June 30 2020 the NTC and Solicitor General Jose Calida released two alias cease and desist orders against ABS CBN TV Plus and Sky Direct 16 Beginning in 2014 during the presidency of Benigno Aquino III the network had repeatedly applied for the renewal of their broadcast franchise through private bills that had been pending in the House of Representatives but had not been addressed by the 16th 17th and 18th congresses of the Philippines 12 13 17 Prominent figures in ABS CBN Corporation the political opposition in the Philippines media advocacy groups 13 and the international press 12 15 have labeled the refusal of Congress to renew the franchise as a result of Duterte s pressure for ABS CBN to cease broadcasting and a direct attack on the country s democracy and press freedoms although sources from the previous administration reported that there was lack of support for renewal because Mr Aquino s allies felt the criticisms against the President were too personal and offensive and went to the point of nitpicking 18 Duterte s ruling coalition maintains a supermajority in both chambers of Congress 19 20 and Duterte criticized the ABS CBN Network for their allegedly biased and unfavorable news coverage against Duterte beginning with his presidential campaign in the 2016 Philippine presidential election 21 repeatedly voicing his opposition against the renewal of the network s congressional franchise 22 ABS CBN subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court of the Philippines to nullify as unconstitutional the cease and desist order The resulting franchise expiration and withdrawal of its broadcast rights marked the first time ABS CBN considered a historical and cultural icon in the Philippines had been off the air since the 1986 revolution having been seized and liquidated by the authoritarian government of the Martial Law dictatorship from 1972 until the regime s collapse in 1986 12 Critics of the Duterte government consider the NTC s cease and desist order and the denial of the franchise application as contributing to a growing democratic backsliding in the Philippines under the Duterte administration 23 Contents 1 Background 1 1 Congressional franchise to operate television and radio stations 1 2 Press freedom and democracy issues 1 3 ABS CBN market share 1 4 Prior broadcast stoppage under Ferdinand Marcos 2 History 2 1 Early renewal initiatives during the 16th Congress 2 2 Ad controversies during the 2016 Philippine presidential campaign 2 3 Renewal initiatives during the 17th and 18th Congress 2 3 1 Non renewal assertions by Congress 2 3 2 17th Congress 2 3 3 Deliberations during the 18th Congress 2 4 Quo warranto petition 2 5 Planned provisional authority cancellation 2 6 May 2020 broadcast stoppage 2 7 Post shutdown developments 2 7 1 Network programming and legal action 2 7 2 Congressional hearings for a new franchise 2 7 3 Supreme Court case 2 7 4 Blocktime deals and partnership agreements 2 8 House of Representatives votes on the franchise renewal 2 9 Recall of frequencies and channels 2 10 2021 franchise approval initiatives 2 11 Reassignment of former television frequencies 2 12 House of Representatives briefing on the ABS CBN TV5 deal and cancellation 3 Reactions impacts effects and aftermath 3 1 Prior to broadcast stoppage 3 2 After the broadcast stoppage 3 3 After the committee vote 3 4 Cessations and retrenchments 3 5 Long term impacts 3 5 1 Chilling effect 4 See also 5 ReferencesBackground EditCongressional franchise to operate television and radio stations Edit As prescribed by the American Insular government era Act No 3846 or the Radio Control Act which became effective in 1931 later amended in 1963 broadcasting networks require a congressional franchise to operate television and radio stations which usually lasts for up to 25 years 24 ABS CBN which had been operating since June 13 1946 made its first television broadcast on October 23 1953 had last been granted a 25 year franchise extension on March 30 1995 under Republic Act No 7966 but later implemented on May 4 1995 This expired on May 4 2020 as upheld by the Department of Justice DOJ 25 Press freedom and democracy issues Edit The Philippines is touted to have the freest and liveliest press in Asia 26 27 28 where media is considered a watchdog 29 and a fourth estate helping to maintain the checks and balances of democratic governance 30 31 Despite this the country is consistently ranked as one of the world s most dangerous countries for journalists 32 33 34 In May 2020 it slipped two spots down to 136th place out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index 35 Media watchdogs such as Reporters Without Borders 36 the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility 37 Amnesty International 38 the Photojournalists Center of the Philippines PCP Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines FOCAP and the Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation D amp D 39 have noted that various forms of attacks against the press have increased since the Duterte administration came to power in 2016 with the Philippine Daily Inquirer news website Rappler nonprofit media organizations like Vera Files and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and ABS CBN being particular targets because of coverage critical of the administration 39 32 40 Many of these media watchdogs 39 have issued statements placing the ABS CBN broadcast stoppage in the context of systemic attacks against press freedom in the Philippines 39 40 Media groups and people s organizations denounced the shutdown order for being a loss of democracy freedom of expression and freedom of the press 41 42 Some groups also placed the matter in the context of attacks and harassment aimed at those that criticize the government 43 42 ABS CBN market share Edit The ABS CBN broadcast network is acknowledged to be one of the Philippines oldest and most influential media networks run by the Lopez family 14 The company generates about 50 to 60 percent of the group s total annual revenue mainly from selling airtime of its television and radio properties to advertisers The remaining revenue is generated from consumer sales through the distribution of cable and international channels operations of over the top platform services and a family entertainment center in Taguig According to the Philippine Competition Commission PCC ABS CBN Corporation controlled somewhere between 31 and 44 of the Philippines total television market as of 2020 44 Prior broadcast stoppage under Ferdinand Marcos Edit Main article Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos Before the 2020 stoppage ABS CBN had been closed down on September 23 1972 when martial law under Ferdinand Marcos was announced and the station s television and radio stations were sequestered 45 46 Marcos Letter of Instruction No 1 A signed September 22 1972 and addressed to the Secretary of the Department of National Defense accused ABS CBN and the Associated Broadcasting Corporation now known as TV5 of delivering deliberately slanted and overly exaggerated news stories and commentaries of promoting the ends of the Communist Party of the Philippines and of having been instrumental in an assassination attempt on Marcos 47 This stoppage lasted until July 1986 when the sequestered stations were recovered and the frequencies returned to ABS CBN During those 13 years use of the company s frequencies except DZXL AM 620 awarded to KBS RPN as DWWW DZMM AM 1000 awarded to GMA later Nation Broadcasting Corporation as DWXX now DZAR Sonshine Radio DZMY AM 1160 awarded to BBC as DWWA DZQL AM 830 awarded to Office of Civil Defense as DZCA and DZXL TV 4 awarded to the government owned National Media Production Center for the launch of Government Television as DWGT TV in 1974 was awarded to the Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation BBC owned by Marcos crony and sugar plantation owner Roberto Benedicto and was launched on November 4 1973 Under martial law BBC formed a de facto media monopoly with Kanlaon Broadcasting System Radio Philippines Network KBS RPN Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation IBC acquired in 1975 and government owned Government Television Maharlika Broadcasting System GTV MBS The company s headquarters the ABS CBN Broadcasting Center was also sequestered without compensation from the network s owners and was renamed as Broadcast Plaza to serve as headquarters of BBC KBS RPN GTV MBS and from 1980 the Bureau of Broadcasts BB 46 48 Moreover copies of the old pre Martial Law ABS CBN shows had also been lost due to the raid by Marcos troops 49 Marcos was eventually deposed by the People Power Revolution of February 1986 The newly created revolutionary government agency Presidential Commission on Good Government PCGG sequestered and later dissolved BBC and returned the frequencies to ABS CBN in July 1986 eventually resuming broadcast on September 16 1986 50 51 History EditEarly renewal initiatives during the 16th Congress Edit See also 16th Congress of the Philippines In 2014 and 2015 ABS CBN requested the 16th Congress to tackle the extension of its franchise early although its renewal was not due until six years later in 2020 13 Media sources in the legislature indicated that the network s 2016 initiative was the result of having been particularly singled out by supporters of President elect Rodrigo Duterte because of the perception that they consistently showed him in a negative light 13 The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that a member of the House legislative franchise committee said ABS CBN did not want to risk going through the renewal under an unfriendly administration 119 The Inquirer s source also said that the initiative lacked support from President Benigno Aquino III s allies in the House because they felt that ABS CBN s criticisms against Aquino were too personal and offensive and went to the point of nitpicking 119 13 ABS CBN eventually had to withdraw these franchise renewal initiatives due to time constraints 13 Ad controversies during the 2016 Philippine presidential campaign Edit Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attributed his objection to the franchise renewal of ABS CBN to an election ad controversy during the campaign leading up to the 2016 Philippine presidential election He said the network refused to air his 2016 presidential campaign ads and favored the negative political ads paid by then vice presidential candidate Antonio Trillanes critical of his remarks on the campaign trail 120 121 On February 24 2020 the network s president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak apologized to Duterte for not airing his political advertisements during his 2016 polls Duterte accepted the apology leaving the franchise s renewal to Congress 122 123 ABS CBN also offered to return the money spent for these advertisements which Duterte declined stating that the money should be donated to a charity instead 122 Meanwhile Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez defended the controversial ad as well within Election Law under Partisan Political Activity 124 125 Renewal initiatives during the 17th and 18th Congress Edit Non renewal assertions by Congress Edit Throughout his term which coincides with the 17th and 18th Congress Duterte publicly reiterated that he would oppose the franchise renewal of ABS CBN 22 60 Opposition lawmakers as well as labor groups objected to Duterte s stand on ABS CBN as the franchise non renewal will compromise the employees of the network stating that the blocking of the franchise renewal had no merit 126 Opposition groups have expressed their opinions that the non renewal of the franchise violates press freedom 39 Duterte later changed his stance after the network s apology stating that he would not interfere with the franchise renewal in Congress However Duterte did not say whether he would veto the bill or not 122 123 17th Congress Edit In November 2016 Nueva Ecija representative Micaela Violago filed House Bill 4349 in the 17th Congress to renew the network s franchise 127 128 The 17th Congress adjourned sine die with the bill never getting out of committee 129 Deliberations during the 18th Congress Edit During the 18th Congress of the Philippines at least 12 house representatives and two senators filed their versions for a new network franchise House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano made assurances that Congress will tackle the franchise with fairness 130 Bills filed in the 18th Congress for ABS CBN s franchise renewal Bill number Author s Date filed RefHB 676 Micaela Violago July 1 2019 61 HB 3064 Jericho Nograles July 29 2019 62 HB 3521 Rose Marie Baby Arenas August 6 2019 63 HB 3713 Joy Myra Tambunting Joseph Stephen Paduano withdrew on July 9 2020 August 8 2019 64 HB 3947 Sol Aragones August 14 2019 65 SB 981 Ralph Recto August 28 2019 66 HB 4305 Vilma Santos Recto September 2 2019 67 HB 5608 Aurelio Gonzales Johnny Pimentel Salvador Doy Leachon November 25 2019 69 HB 5705 Rufus Rodriguez December 4 2019 72 HB 5753 Josephine Ramirez Sato December 9 2019 73 HB 6052 Carlos Zarate Ferdinand Gaite Eufemia Cullamat France Castro Sarah Jane Elago January 27 2020 77 HB 6138 Mark Go January 30 2020 78 HB 6293 Loren Legarda February 13 2020 80 SB 1403 Ramon Bong Revilla Jr March 5 2020 92 On January 6 2020 Albay representative Edcel Lagman filed House Resolution 639 urging the House Committee on Legislative Franchises for its immediate action on the several bills lodged to the committee 75 At least 91 other representatives signed the resolution 76 On February 24 2020 the Congress finally made its decision to tackle their franchise renewal 131 During a Senate hearing on the same day public services panel chair Grace Poe stated they were to tackle ABS CBN s compliance with the terms and conditions of its franchise 132 The conclusion was that there was no breach of laws or franchise terms The following is a summary of the findings The Bureau of Internal Revenue stated that ABS CBN had fully complied with the tax requirements of the government Sir Cabantac Jr BIR Large Taxpayers Service head stated that the company had paid P14 298 billion from 2016 to 2019 In 2019 ABS CBN also settled P152 44 million in tax payments with the BIR 133 The Department of Labor and Employment cleared the media giant for its compliance with general labor standards occupational safety and health and security of tenure Former ABS CBN corporate services head Mark Nepomuceno said they also have contributed to mandatory employee benefits such as Social Security System PhilHealth and Pag IBIG Fund He also stated that ABS CBN was no longer practicing end of contract scheme as well as giving benefits to independent contributors varying per contract negotiation 133 Telecommunications Commissioner General Gamaliel Cordoba stated that franchise laws cover commercial purposes including pay per view service Section 1 of Republic Act 7908 which allows ABS CBN Covergence s broadcast operations states that It is hereby granted a franchise to construct operate and maintain for commercial purposes Even though ABS CBN introduced the service without NTC guidelines yet the fine for such violation is a measly P200 Senate President Recto stated that the NTC can just impose a fine on ABS CBN rather than shutdown 133 Securities and Exchange Commission Commissioner Ephyro Amatong clarified that a legal interpretation from 1999 stated that Philippine Depository Receipts were not equivalent to certificates of ownership which may have evolved in recent years Senator Poe pointed out that companies should be notified of any changes in the legal interpretation of the investment instrument as all media companies have to be 100 Filipino owned Issuing PDRs is a common practice among Philippine media outfits including Rappler and GMA The SEC has not yet conducted a review whether there are violations in ABS CBN s PDRs with Amatong saying he would rather not make a categorical statement at this time as to whether there are violations in ABS CBN s PDRs given the pending case at the Supreme Court as of May 6 2020 133 Quo warranto petition Edit On February 10 2020 Solicitor General of the Philippines Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court of the Philippines seeking to revoke ABS CBN s franchise and that of its subsidiary ABS CBN Convergence over alleged breaches of its franchise including operating its pay per view service Kapamilya Box Office KBO constitutional restriction on foreign ownership of mass media and resorted to an ingenious corporate layering scheme to transfer its subsidiary s franchise without Congressional approval 134 The network responded to disprove the allegations leveled against it 135 Within the same month various congressmen urged the National Telecommunications Commission NTC to grant a provisional authority to ABS CBN to continue operations after the lapse of its current franchise until Congress should have decided on its franchise application 136 Having consulted with the Department of Justice DOJ the NTC affirmed in March 2020 that it would likely issue a provisional authority to ABS CBN and let ABS CBN continue operations based on equity 137 However the Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Associations of the Philippines FICTAP questioned the provisional authority stating that it would be unconstitutional 138 On June 23 2020 the Supreme Court of the Philippines dismissed the quo warranto petition to revoke ABS CBN Corporation s franchise stating that the petition was moot and academic as the franchise had already expired therefore the Court would not be changing anything by voiding the franchise ab initio 139 However the quo warranto petition filed against ABS CBN Convergence Inc for allegedly illegally operating KBO 15 remains pending 140 Planned provisional authority cancellation Edit On March 5 2020 lawyer Larry Gadon filed a petition for prohibition before the Supreme Court of the Philippines seeking to stop Telecommunications Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chairman Franz Alvarez from issuing ABS CBN s provisional authority saying the provisional authority to operate violates the doctrine of separation of powers 141 Sixteen days after the shutdown Gadon announces that he is withdrawing the petition which he filed seeking to stop Cordoba Cayetano and Alvarez from issuing provisional authority stating that was rendered moot and the act sought to be prevented no longer exists 142 On June 2 2020 the Supreme Court of the Philippines dismissed the petition for the prohibition against Telecommunications Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chairman Franz Alvarez from issuing provisional authority stating that the court does not deem it efficient 143 May 2020 broadcast stoppage Edit The sign off message broadcast by DWWX TV ABS CBN Manila before stopping all broadcasts at 7 52 pm PST in compliance with the NTC order External video ABS CBN goes off air in compliance with NTC order ABS CBN News via YouTube The logo of ABS CBN during its 2020 shutdown Wikisource has original text related to this article ABS CBN Shutdown Message May 5 2020 On May 3 2020 Calida warned the NTC against granting the provisional authority to ABS CBN citing a Supreme Court decision in 2014 stating that provisional authority can only be granted after the franchise is secured in Congress 136 134 In the same statement Calida cautioned that the agency would put itself at risk of prosecution under the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act should they issue the provisional authority without a legal franchise being held by ABS CBN s operating companies and that a 1991 DOJ opinion stating the NTC may issue provisional authority without a legal franchise was overturned by the Supreme Court 134 On May 5 2020 Philippine House Committee on Legislative Franchises chairperson Franz Alvarez warned the NTC from backtracking If they did the NTC could be held in contempt for refusal to issue a provisional authority to ABS CBN 144 Six days before the House Committee on Legislative Franchises issued a show cause order against NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba Deputy Commissioners Edgardo Cabarios Delilah Deles and Legal Branch Head Ella Blanca Lopez to explain why should not be cited in contempt for issuing the cease and desist order against ABS CBN 145 The NTC responded by stating that it was legally bound to order the shutdown of ABS CBN and apologized to the House of Representatives for failing to notify it of the shutdown order 146 On the same day NTC issued a cease and desist order to immediately close its free to air broadcasting operations including its radio stations DZMM S A and MOR Philippines following the expiration of its broadcast franchise the day before 147 148 149 150 The cease and desist order covers 42 free television stations operated by ABS CBN across the country including the main ABS CBN Network ten digital broadcast channels 18 FM stations and five AM stations However ABS CBN News Channel ANC The Filipino Channel TFC DZMM TeleRadyo renamed TeleRadyo due to the inclusion of DZMM in the order and its sister cable channels run by subsidiary Creative Programs including Metro Channel which was named after Metro Magazines whose publisher is ABS CBN Publishing as well as its online properties and production companies Star Music and Star Cinema were allowed to continue as their operations are not contingent on the legislative franchise 151 Following the news program TV Patrol the network signed off the air at 7 52 pm PST ABS CBN executives Carlo Katigbak and Mark Lopez aired statements on the program appealing the NTC s cease and desist order 152 153 The newscast was also simulcast on DZMM S A and MOR stations 154 DZMM radio and television counterpart signed off at 8 20 pm following SRO Suhestyon Reaksyon at Opinyon and rebranded simply as TeleRadyo following the newscast and the digital television networks available on ABS CBN TV Plus including Asianovela Channel Movie Central and the terrestrial operations of Jeepney TV Myx O Shopping and Knowledge Channel also signed off After the cease and desist order Cine Mo Yey and the KBO remain unaffected during the television premiere of The Mall The Merrier on KBO channel from May 1 6 2020 Along with the order NTC gave ABS CBN 10 days to explain why its assigned frequencies should not be recalled 155 In response on May 15 2020 ABS CBN reasoned that it would be detrimental to the public interest as it would hamper the ability of ABS CBN to immediately resume serving the public through its broadcasts once the franchise is granted 156 Additionally House Bill 6732 was proposed by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on May 13 2020 which would have granted the network a provisional franchise to operate until October 31 2020 156 157 Subsequently on May 27 2020 NTC was told to refrain from carrying out the recall while the Congress deliberates on the measures to grant provisional franchise and a fresh franchise 158 Post shutdown developments Edit Network programming and legal action Edit On May 7 2020 TV Patrol resumed broadcast on ABS CBN News Channel as it simulcast the program from the leading network since March due to the COVID 19 pandemic programming changes 159 It was also simulcast on its news website its Facebook and YouTube pages as well as on The Filipino Channel to viewers outside the country On May 8 2020 the following day TV Patrol began airing on Cine Mo and returned on TeleRadyo 160 ABS CBN Corporation filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition as well as temporary restraining order TRO to the Supreme Court of the Philippines seeking to nullify the NTC s cease and desist order on May 7 2020 161 See Supreme Court case below The Senate and the House of the Representatives filed respective bills urging NTC to reconsider its order as well as to abolish the agency itself 162 163 On May 8 2020 DZMM TeleRadyo now rebranded as simply TeleRadyo resumed its regular programming airing the usual DZMM programming format 164 TeleRadyo is carried through ABS CBN TV Plus making it one of three exclusive channels the others being Cine Mo and Yey that remain operational on digital free to air television after the NTC s order takes effect 164 ABS CBN later clarified in a statement that the three channels along with Kapamilya Box Office channel continued broadcasting and received in Metro Manila Laguna province Iloilo province and selected areas of Baguio through a block time agreement with AMCARA Broadcasting Network former owner of Studio 23 from its 1996 launch until ABS CBN acquired a stake in AMCARA in 2010 owned by the Carandang family On the same day MOR Philippines also resumed its online and cable operations through a national programming service set up by the network s flagship station in Metro Manila 165 On May 11 2020 House Representatives Paolo Duterte Eric Go Yap and Abraham Tolentino filed House Resolution No 853 seeking to probe into the corporation s possible violation of its franchise 166 167 168 On June 1 2020 Jeepney TV and Asianovela Channel resumed broadcasting on ABS CBN TV Plus as temporary channel replacements for ABS CBN and S A but both channels are still on free trial 169 On June 4 2020 ABS CBN announced on TV Patrol that a cable and satellite channel named Kapamilya Channel would launch on June 13 resuming the productions of ABS CBN s dramas and live entertainment shows and airing its entertainment educational and current affairs programming along with temporary movie blocks 170 However because of the network s temporary suspension of production of entertainment programs during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon caused by the COVID 19 pandemic and later shutdown the dramas Pamilya Ko and Make It With You confirmed their cancellations and failed to complete their respective stories 171 172 Comedy gag show Banana Sundae would also not return to air 173 On June 30 2020 the NTC and Solicitor General Jose Calida issued an alias cease and desist order demanding ABS CBN TV Plus to stop further broadcasting all of its digital free to air channels on UHF Channel 43 in Metro Manila and some provinces as well as Sky Direct to stop broadcasting nationwide as compliance to President Duterte s Objection to its franchise bid 16 The Supreme Court initially set the date of tackling ABS CBN s petition for a TRO on July 13 174 however it was moved to August 4 Congressional hearings for a new franchise Edit On May 13 2020 House Bill 6732 proposed by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano which grants the network a provisional franchise to operate until October 31 2020 unless sooner revoked or canceled was approved by the House of Representatives convening as a Committee of the Whole The said bill was awaiting for third and final reading after which it would have been transmitted to the Senate 157 175 but on May 19 2020 the proposal was withdrawn with the chamber opting to go straight to hearing measures seeking to grant the media giant a fresh 25 year franchise 176 The first day of hearings was held on May 26 under the auspices of the Joint Committee for Legislative Franchises Good Governance and Public Accountability where ABS CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak and Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta gave their respective side s opening statements 177 The second day held on June 1 tackled the media conglomerate s ownership concerns 178 The third day was held on June 3 mainly focused on Eugenio Lopez III s citizenship 179 The fourth hearing was held on June 8 which also focused on Lopez III s citizenship 180 These first days of the hearings focused on Eugenio Lopez III dual citizenship status being a Filipino and an American citizen at the same time The fifth hearing was held on June 11 which tackled the legalities of ABS CBN s issuance of PDRs or Philippine Depositary Receipts 181 During the course of the hearing the PDRs were determined to be legal but these raised questions on the real motives of the financial instrument The sixth hearing was held on June 15 tackled the media conglomerate s closure during Marcos regime and return to the Lopez family after the People Power Revolution in 1986 182 Questions on the return to the Lopez family were raised in particular to the arbitrary procedure and the settlement agreement that were agreed upon The seventh hearing was held on June 17 which was attended by former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile tackled the constitutional 50 year limit on congressional franchises and airing of a program on DXAS TV ABS CBN Davao hosted by Duterte called Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa 183 The eighth hearing was held on June 29 tackled the network s blocktime agreement with AMCARA Broadcasting Network for continuous airing of the network s programs on free to air digital television through DWBM TV UHF Channel 43 in ABS CBN TV Plus set top box in Metro Manila Laguna selected areas of Baguio and Iloilo 184 During the hearings questions were raised both to AMCARA and ABS CBN on the seemingly long term block time arrangements The ninth hearing was held on June 30 tackled the media conglomerate s labor issues 185 Questions were raised on program based contracts and independent contractors which are prevalent in most broadcasting companies 186 The tenth hearing was held on July 1 tackled the media conglomerate s tax delinquencies citation needed Questions were raised regarding the actual tax payments of ABS CBN pointing out to government tax incentives that were availed citation needed The eleventh hearing was held on July 2 continuing the issues on taxes and labor practices citation needed The twelfth hearing was held on July 6 tackling allegations of biased reporting from the network and its coverage of the 2016 general election and also tackled issues regarding bias and morality on some past ABS CBN news and programs citation needed The thirteenth hearing which was a summation of arguments was held on July 9 with Representatives Carlos Zarate and Rodante Marcoleta respectively delivering the closing arguments for and against the renewal citation needed On July 10 members of the House of Representatives particularly the Committee on Legislative Franchises voted 70 11 to deny the franchise application of ABS CBN citing several issues on the network s franchise 5 1 Supreme Court case Edit ABS CBN Corporation v National Telecommunications Commission CourtSupreme Court of the PhilippinesSubmittedMay 7 2020StartedMay 19 2020VerdictDismissed holding for the NTC CitationG R No 252119 187 Questions presentedIs the ABS CBN broadcast stoppage of transcendental constitutional importance If so was the NTC s CDO legal OutcomeAs Congress has the sole authority to grant legislative franchises the Court would be acting beyond its authority under the principle of the separation of powers if it were to restore either ABS CBN s temporary NTC permit to use the frequencies it had once been assigned or for that matter its permanent franchise On May 7 2020 ABS CBN filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition asking the Court to issue a temporary restraining order TRO against the implementation of the National Telecommunications Commission s cease and desist order 188 189 If granted this TRO would allow them to operate until the case is decided 190 However some lawyers have questioned the legal merits of the petition 189 191 as it was filed right to the Supreme Court even before a motion for reconsideration before the NTC or a case in the Court of Appeals 189 In the petition ABS CBN argues that it is proper to have filed first in the Supreme Court as the case in their view involves genuine issues of constitutionality that must be addressed at the most immediate time 188 17 and that their petition is of transcendental importance 188 18 On May 18 Larry Gadon filed a motion for consolidation against the ABS CBN s temporary restraining order stating that it violates the hiearchy of the courts and the case must be filed at the CA 192 The following day the Court accepted the case ordered the NTC to reply and impleaded both the House and Senate and dismissing Gadon s plea for a consolidation 193 The NTC filed its required comment on May 26 194 The Supreme Court set a further hearing for July 13 on the merits of the petition though there may not be a ruling on that date 195 However the hearing was rescheduled to August 4 2020 196 The petition to issue a temporary restraining order was dismissed by the Supreme Court on August 25 2020 197 198 In its ruling the Court invoked the principle of the separation of powers leaving the matter to Congress 187 Blocktime deals and partnership agreements Edit ZOE Broadcasting NetworkOn October 6 2020 ABS CBN Corporation announced a blocktime deal with ZOE Broadcasting Network to air selected ABS CBN shows from its owned television network on Channel 11 s A2Z formerly ZOE TV beginning on October 10 after almost three years of speculated rumors Alongside the network would also air Light TV produced programs ZOE s content partners including CBN Asia and Trinity Broadcasting Network and others including its blocktimers licensors and providers similar to what GMA News TV formerly QTV Q and later GTV has done before 199 200 A month of launching of the said new channel the NTC were reportedly to investigate ABS CBN and ZOE Broadcasting Network if the said blocktime agreement of two stations are processed in legal ways 6 7 Brightlight Productions and TV5 CignalOn January 18 2021 the Philippine Star s entertainment columnist Ricky Lo reported that a possible partnership between ABS CBN and its rival TV5 might happen very soon through its programming partner Cignal TV which will allow ABS CBN to air its programs on the rival network and its regional stations aside from its existing agreement with ZOE Broadcasting Network which only limited to Mega Manila area 201 The partnership become evident when ABS CBN s flagship Sunday variety show ASAP Natin To is reported to be carried on TV5 beginning January 24 replacing Sunday Noontime Live which was headlined by some ABS CBN talents 202 Both ABS CBN and TV5 later confirmed this move in collaboration with Brightlight Productions and Cignal TV on January 21 with a movie block FPJ Da King starring Fernando Poe Jr also included in the Sunday s lineup 203 204 According to TV5 Network and Cignal TV chairman Manuel V Pangilinan on the addition of more ABS CBN shows on the network he said that for now it is too early to consider for a said expansion 205 that is until March 5 where ABS CBN and TV5 confirmed that ABS CBN Kapamilya Channel s Primetime Bida shows will be carried on the said network beginning March 8 206 House of Representatives votes on the franchise renewal Edit The following is a list of how members of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises voted 207 208 NO to the resolution denying the renewal of the ABS CBN franchise 11 209 Sol Aragones Laguna 3rd District Christopher de Venecia Pangasinan 4th District Carlos Zarate Bayan Muna Party list Gabriel Bordado Camarines Sur 3rd District Vilma Santos Batangas 6th District Lianda Bolilia Batangas 4th District Jose I Tejada North Cotabato 3rd District Bienvenido Abante Manila 6th District Stella Quimbo Marikina 2nd District Mujiv Hataman Basilan Lone District Edward Maceda Manila 4th District YES to the resolution to deny the ABS CBN franchise 77 Note Unofficial list compiled from various news sources Congressmen refuse to release official list According to Prof Jean Franco associate professor for the University of the Philippines Political Science Department this translates to lack of transparency and accountability Franco also stated that the congressmen may be hiding their votes out of fear of vendetta 210 Raneo Ranie E Abu Batangas 2nd District Beng Abueg Palawan 2nd District Gil Acosta Jr Palawan 3rd District Tonypet Albano Isabela 1st District Samantha Louise Vargas Alfonso Cagayan 2nd District Juan Miguel Mikey Macapagal Arroyo Pampanga 2nd District Cristal L Bagatsing Manila 5th District Julienne Jam L Baronda Iloilo City Lone District Elpidio Pidi F Barzaga Jr Cavite 4th District Claudine Diana Dendee D Bautista DUMPER PTDA Party list 211 Juan Pablo Rimpy P Bondoc Pampanga 4th District Antonio Tony Calixto Pasay Lone District representing Rep J Lacson Noel Precious Hipolito Castelo Quezon City 2nd District Joaquin Jun M Chipeco Jr Calamba Lone District Ma Theresa Maitet V Collantes Batangas 3rd District Anthony Peter Onyx Crisologo Quezon City 1st District Francisco Jun Datol SENIOR CITIZENS Party list representing Rep M Romero Michael Mike Defensor ANAKALUSUGAN Party list representing Rep R Puno Paolo Pulong Z Duterte Davao City 1st District Faustino Michael Carlos T Dy III Isabela 5th District Faustino Inno A Dy V Isabela 6th District Ian Paul L Dy Isabela 3rd District Conrado M Estrella III Abono Partylist Ria Christina G Farinas Ilocos Norte 1st District Danilo Dan S Fernandez Laguna 1st District Bayani F Fernando Marikina 1st District Luis Jon Jon Ferrer IV Cavite 6th District Pablo John F Garcia Cebu 3rd District Janette L Garin Ex Officio Iloilo 1st District Sharon S Garin AAMBIS OWA Party list Weslie Gatchalian Valenzuela 1st District Aurelio Dong Gonzales Jr Pampanga 3rd District Sandro Gonzales Marino Party list representing Rep P Pichay Eduardo Eddie R Gullas Cebu 1st District Ferdinand L Hernandez South Cotabato 2nd District Bernadette BH Herrera Dy BH Party List Dulce Ann K Hofer Zamboanga Sibugay 2nd District Josephine Veronique R Lacson Noel Malabon City Lone District Eleandro Jesus F Madrona Romblon Lone District Dale Along R Malapitan Caloocan 1st District Esmael Toto G Mangudadatu Maguindanao 2nd District Rodante D Marcoleta Sagip Party list Eric M Martinez Valenzuela 2nd District Francisco Jose Bingo Matugas II Surigao del Norte 1st District representing Rep J Pimentel Raymond Democrito C Mendoza Trade Union Congress of the Philippines Party list Roger G Mercado Southern Leyte Lone District John Marvin Yul Servo C Nieto Manila 3rd District Juan Fidel Felipe Nograles Rizal 2nd District representing Rep F Hernandez Jericho Jonas B Nograles Puwersa ng Bayang Atleta Party list Henry S Oaminal Misamis Occidental 2nd District Joseph Stephen Caraps S Paduano ABANG LINGKOD Party list Wilter Sharky Wee Palma II Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District Prospero A Pichay Jr Surigao del Sur 1st District Johnny Ty Pimentel Surigao del Sur 2nd District Enrico A Pineda 1 PACMAN Party list Roberto V Puno Antipolo City 1st District Jesus Crispin Boying C Remulla Cavite 7th District Strike B Revilla Cavite 2nd District Michael L Romero Ph D 1 PACMAN Party list Ferdinand Martin G Romualdez Leyte 1st District Yedda Marie K Romualdez Tingog Sinirangan Party list Xavier Jesus D Romualdo Camiguin Lone District Deogracias Victor Savellano Ilocos Sur 1st District Frederick W Siao Iligan Lone District Jose Bonito C Singson Jr PROBINSYANO AKO Party list Jose Kuya Antonio Sy Alvarado Bulacan 1st District Alyssa Sheena P Tan Isabela 4th District Sharee Ann T Tan Samar 2nd District Arnolfo Arnie A Teves Jr Negros Oriental 3rd District Abraham Bambol N Tolentino Cavite 8th District Allan Ty LPGMA Party list Christian S Unabia Misamis Oriental 1st District Rolando M Valeriano Manila 2nd District Luis Raymond LRay Villafuerte Jr Camarines Sur 2nd District Camille A Villar Las Pinas Lone District Eric Go Yap ACT CIS Partylist Divina Grace C Yu Zamboanga del Sur 1st District Recused from voting 2 Alfred Vargas Quezon City 5th District citing conflict of interest Micaela Violago Nueva Ecija 2nd DistrictAbstained from voting 1 Alfredo Garbin Jr AKO BICOL Party listRecall of frequencies and channels Edit On September 10 2020 the NTC issued an order recalling all TV and radio frequencies and channels assigned to ABS CBN and its related radio and local TV stations The NTC cited the absence of a valid legislative franchise as justification for the order In addition the NTC also said that all provisional authorities and certificates of public convenience granted to ABS CBN were also revoked and canceled 212 213 214 2021 franchise approval initiatives Edit On December 8 2020 Buhay Party List Representative and Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza said that the approval of the ABS CBN franchise might happen on 2021 under the House leadership of Lord Allan Velasco as he assures the speaker to give some ample time to settle the franchise 215 On January 4 2021 Senate President Tito Sotto filed a Senate Bill No 1967 that seeks to grant ABS CBN s franchise for another 25 years 216 with at least 16 senators backing its support for Sotto s bill 217 Later that day Batangas 6th District Representative and Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos Recto one of the 11 representatives who voted in favor of the franchise on July 10 2020 said that she will refile her same franchise bill in the House 218 which Santos Recto filed a House Bill No 8298 on January 18 219 However SAGIP Party List Representative Rodante Marcoleta one of the 70 representatives who voted against the franchise on July 10 2020 and the host of Net 25 s public affairs program Sa Ganang Mamamayan lit For Citizens reiterated that major changes are needed for the network to be able to regain its franchise On February 9 2021 during his public address and an IATF meeting over government owned People s Television Network Duterte said that he will not allow ABS CBN to operate even if a franchise was given to them by Congress until they settle their taxes 220 221 The following day Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in his Malacanang virtual press briefing said that Duterte would leave it to the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate ABS CBN over alleged unpaid taxes and condonation of the network s soured loans 222 223 On February 11 2021 House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said that ABS CBN s franchise renewal will have to wait until 2022 224 225 Reassignment of former television frequencies Edit On July 26 2021 during Duterte s State of the Nation Address Duterte intended to reassign the former frequencies of ABS CBN to different companies 226 On January 5 2022 Advanced Media Broadcasting System which airs its flagship TV Station ALLTV backed by the Villar Group through Planet Cable was awarded a provisional authority license for the Channel 2 analog frequency and its digital counterpart Channel 16 frequency by the National Telecommunications Commission 8 9 On January 26 Channel 23 was awarded to Aliw Broadcasting Corporation and Channel 43 was awarded to Sonshine Media Network International 227 House of Representatives briefing on the ABS CBN TV5 deal and cancellation Edit On August 16 2022 the House of Representatives has originally set a briefing on the investment of ABS CBN in TV5 on August 18 228 however the briefing was silently announced its cancellation on the following day that was scheduled to happen on that day 229 Rodante Marcoleta commented on the deal 230 Reactions impacts effects and aftermath EditPrior to broadcast stoppage Edit Before the expiration of the broadcast franchise ABS CBN talents and employees conducted weekly demonstrations in front of its headquarters in Quezon City as well as in its regional stations from January to February 2020 231 232 During these demonstrations presidential daughter and incumbent Davao City mayor Sara Duterte Carpio expressed support for the franchise renewal 233 After the broadcast stoppage Edit Supporters of ABS CBN staging a rally outside the ABS CBN Broadcasting Center on the night of June 3 2020 The NTC s cease and desist order on ABS CBN was met by widespread criticism by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas KBP in which the network is one of its members 234 as well as various advocacy groups 235 236 business organizations 237 238 the local Catholic church 239 240 241 and even some members of the Congress Several journalists and celebrities from the network and its rival GMA Network expressed solidarity with ABS CBN after it was ordered to cease its radio and TV broadcast 242 243 In addition former president Benigno Aquino III criticized the shutdown of ABS CBN stating that Duterte and his administration made their own unnecessary problem 244 The hashtag NoToABSCBNShutDown topped the local and worldwide Twitter trending lists the same day 245 Within a day numerous colleges and universities in the Philippines including the UPLB College of Development Communication Ateneo de Manila University and its Communication Department the University of Santo Tomas St Scholastica s College and its Mass Communication Department De La Salle University and the UP Diliman College of Mass Communication released statements supporting the franchise renewal of ABS CBN 246 The network s shutdown was noted to have placed the job security of 11 000 ABS CBN employees in jeopardy during the COVID 19 pandemic though the company assured them a stable salary as well as a complete health and financial benefits for the next two months following the shutdown 12 15 In response the government may give a 2 month aid to the employees of ABS CBN 247 GMA Network s shares increased by 24 as the Philippine Stock Exchange voluntarily suspended ABS CBN s trading However investors remained cautious about GMA s stock rally due to the effects of the shutdown on business confidence 248 249 Duterte denied involvement with the network s shutdown 250 despite earlier assertions that he would oppose franchise renewal 22 His spokesman Harry Roque also thanked the network for its assistance to the country during the COVID 19 pandemic 122 251 According to Roque Duterte could not mark the bill renewing ABS CBN s franchise as urgent as it would involve private interest and that Duterte would be neutral to the renewal 252 On May 5 2020 GMA Network s primetime news program 24 Oras interviewed the Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Association of the Philippines FICTAP President Estrellita Juliano Tamano who claimed that ABS CBN violated their 1995 legislative broadcast by airing six channels She argued that ABS CBN should be instead broadcasting in one channel only and instead file for a new franchise for every channel they broadcast 253 254 On May 7 2020 Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association Inc PCTA President Ronaldo Manlapig argued that there is no need to file for a separate franchise for each channel as ABS CBN uses digital transmission their frequency hence the multiple channels 255 256 Public criticism in the early days after the shutdown revolved around the NTC for lack of fairness on the agency s cease and desist order on the network and Congress especially the lower house for inaction to pass the franchise renewal bill 257 258 ABS CBN s shutdown received international attention as news websites magazines newspapers and broadcasters from around the world including The New York Times 15 The Washington Post 12 Variety 259 BBC News 21 CBS News 260 Time 14 Al Jazeera 150 The Guardian 261 the Associated Press 262 ABC News 263 NHK 264 265 KBS 266 Yonhap News Agency 267 the Financial Times 268 and The Straits Times 269 published stories on the network s shutdown 270 The discontinuation of ABS CBN s terrestrial broadcast operations created difficulties during the onslaught of Typhoon Vongfong Ambo when authorities and residents of some distant provinces including Aurora Quezon and Sorsogon reported being unable to get updated information about the typhoon from other sources because ABS CBN was the only national television station whose signal could reach them and internet data was hard to get in their area 271 272 On June 4 2020 it was announced that Kapamilya Channel would air programs from ABS CBN such as Ang Probinsyano and ASAP Natin To beginning June 13 2020 on cable and satellite TV providers nationwide 273 After the committee vote Edit Some members of Congress expressed dismay over the decision including Cagayan de Oro Rep Rufus Rodriguez who called the denial defying evidence 274 Progressive and sectoral groups in the Philippines such as Akbayan Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Pamalakaya also slammed the body for the vote 275 However on July 13 2020 Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano stood by the decision to deny the network its franchise Supporters conducting a nightly noise barrage in front of the ABS CBN headquarters with ABS CBN artist Angel Locsin speaking in front From July 11 until the end of the month supporters organized a nightly noise barrage in front of the ABS CBN studios in Quezon City in opposition to the verdict Other similarly styled demonstrations were held in front of respective ABS CBN stations in Davao City Bacolod and Naga Camarines Sur 276 277 On July 26 demonstrations in Cagayan de Oro City were marred after three funeral wreaths containing ribbons glorifying unidentified individuals left the New People s Army in front of the ABS CBN station in the city National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Western Mindanao Safety Officer JB Deveza called such action a form of death threat aimed to intimidate the network employees and the action appeared to be a part of a coordinated red tagging operation 278 On July 16 a movement named People s Initiative for Reforms and Movement for Action PIRMA an independent and organic collective of concerned Filipinos moving to advance reforms via people s initiative and referendum launched a signature campaign called PIRMA Kapamilya that aims to grant ABS CBN a people s franchise via democratic experiment of a people s initiative 279 The signature campaign started on July 25 and aimed to gather 7 million signatures nationwide 3 of registered voters in each legislative district and at least 10 of total registered voters as a requirement for the COMELEC to call for a referendum on the franchise 280 In a related manner Kantar Media Philippines ABS CBN s main client and partner originally announced the closure of its television ratings service by the end of 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic and the broadcast stoppage of ABS CBN 281 however the decision was reversed following the block time deal between ABS CBN and ZOE as well as retaining the majority of its existing staff 282 In a related manner boxing promotion company ALA Promotions promoted the Pinoy Pride series of bouts aired on ABS CBN and its sister network S A announced its closure on August 18 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic and the broadcast stoppage of ABS CBN while its gym division ALA Gym remained operational 283 284 285 286 287 288 Cessations and retrenchments Edit On July 15 ABS CBN released a statement that it would lay off a number of its workers and close down some of its business operations in light of the denial of the franchise effective August 31 289 According to a town hall meeting called by management hours before the release of the statement among the first entities bound to close were all MOR Philippines terrestrial radio stations including its flagship MOR 101 9 in Manila 290 291 After the said date MOR eventually consolidated its programming to different new media online skeletal stations including Manila Baguio Cagayan de Oro Cebu and Davao the ABS CBN Film Archives and its film restoration program This led to the ABS CBN Film Restoration Project rushing to complete the restoration of the 1984 film Soltero before the retrenchment date 292 ABS CBN Regional with the 12 regional editions of TV Patrol and their 10 respective provincial morning programs ending their broadcasts on August 28 293 After the said date its regional news bureaus remained open in different areas including Baguio Cagayan de Oro Cebu City and Davao City Some ABS CBN Regional employees news anchors and reporters started a news agency Regional News Group that operates independently from ABS CBN citation needed the current affairs and documentary divisions of the ABS CBN News and Current Affairs tasked for programs such as My Puhunan Kuha Mo Failon Ngayon and Rated K now Rated Korina on TV5 Kapamilya Channel and A2Z resulted to being unceremoniously cancelled It eventually revived around 2022 with the premiere of KBYN Kaagapay ng Bayan Other company divisions that announced their respective dissolution and reduction of workforces prior to or beyond the July 15 announcement and the August 31 take effect unless otherwise noted were ACJ O Shopping Corporation joint venture between ABS CBN and CJ ENM O Shopping Division that owned O Shopping on July 8 with its retrenchment begun on August 7 and closure on November 1 294 295 only retaining its online portal until November 15 ABS CBN Sports and ABS CBN University on July 16 The closure of the sports division left the broadcast contracts of collegiate leagues such as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines UAAP now with Cignal TV and National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA now with GMA Network the now professional Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League MPBL now with One PH and One Sports and the Premier Volleyball League PVL now with Cignal TV in jeopardy 296 297 298 The division s sports channel Liga permanently closed on October 30 299 owing to lack of advertisers and the ensuing programming redundancy Creative Communication Management CCM division on July 18 reducing its workforce from a high of over 170 creatives to a group of 20 on August 31 300 ABS CBN Digital Media s owned platform One Music PH on July 20 301 but later revived in August 2021 KidZania Manila owned 73 by ABS CBN Theme Parks amp Resorts and operated by Play Innovations Inc on July 22 with its closure on August 31 302 ABS CBN Tulong Center on July 29 with its closure on August 1 303 ABS CBN s executive dining restaurant Restaurant 9501 304 and lifestyle website Chalk ph 305 on August 8 the company s loyalty freebies program Kapamilya Thank You on August 15 other ABS CBN assets including ABS CBN Studio Tours ABS CBN Store ABS CBN Studio Experience at TriNoma Heroes Burger Hado Pilipinas 306 and multi channel network Adober Studios on August 28 As of December 31 2020 there were about 5 932 employees and workers that were displaced retrenched or laid off by the company itself according to the Department of Labor and Employment DOLE Among the notable ones were 307 308 Ces Orena Drilon now with DZXL Korina Sanchez now with Brightlight Productions Ted Failon now with TV5 Anthony Taberna now with DZRH and All TV Gerry Baja now with DZRH Cathy Yap Yang now with PLDT Ricky Rosales now with DZXL Vic De Leon Lima now with DWIZ amp Net 25 Richard Enriquez now with DZBB amp Net 25 Toni Aquino now with DZBB amp Net 25 Pat P Daza now with Net 25 Mare Yao now with DWIZ Nina Corpuz Jobert Sucaldito Ambet NabusLong term impacts Edit The ABS CBN shutdown was attributed to information gaps during the media coverage of typhoons that occurred since November 2020 particularly Super Typhoon Rolly 309 310 Typhoon Ulysses 311 Super Typhoon Odette 312 Super Typhoon Karding and Typhoon Paeng with reports noting the void left by the closure of its provincial news bureaus and lack of a substantial signal reach in provinces far from Manila Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque however disagreed with netizens claiming that the shutdown of ABS CBN exposed information gaps in calamities such as Super Typhoon Rolly Responding to a question Roque said both private and government media are doing their best in providing news updates to keep the public informed 313 Roque also vehemently refuted the claim of Vice President Leni Robredo that the absence of ABS CBN s regional unit left some residents in the dark Roque said his team has been holding public briefings to update Filipinos about the national situation amid recent calamities 314 Chilling effect Edit Media experts noted that the shutdown of ABS CBN has had a chilling effect on newsrooms in the country 315 316 Journalism professor Rolando Tolentino defines chilling effect as the discouragement of free speech and other legal rights via legal sanction 317 According to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility after the shutdown fear had taken over some newsrooms resulting in reluctance to do investigative reports 315 Journalism professor Danilo Arao said the chilling effect caused coverage by some media outlets to become skewed to favor the President Duterte administration and its supporters 316 See also EditMedia of the Philippines Television in the Philippines 1972 Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos era lasted from 1972 until 1981 that forced the closure of ABS CBN for the first time 2007 Venezuelan RCTV protests triggered by similar government action to shut down a private television network CNN v Trump Lex TVN Rede Tupi Death on the Rock documentary broadcast about Operation Flavius by Thames Television that led to the loss of their ITV franchise due to an alleged political motivations against airing itReferences Edit a b c d e f g h i j k Cervantes Filane Mikee July 10 2020 Several issues led to denial of ABS CBN franchise bid House body Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on July 10 2020 Retrieved July 10 2020 Cervantes Filane Mikee May 26 2020 ABS CBN didn t comply with franchise terms laws House leader Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on June 11 2020 Retrieved July 16 2020 Pulta Benjamin February 12 2020 Calida details ABS CBN monopoly practices in quo warranto suit Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on February 14 2020 Retrieved July 16 2020 Quismorio Ellson July 2 2020 Amcara signal comes from ABS CBN tower NTC tells House Manila Bulletin Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved July 16 2020 a b Cervantes Filane Mikee July 10 2020 House panel junks ABS CBN s bid for a 25 year franchise Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on July 10 2020 Retrieved July 10 2020 a b Solon calls for investigation into ABS CBN A2Z Channel 11 blocktime deal PEP ph Archived from the original on November 1 2020 Retrieved October 23 2020 a b House told NTC BIR to investigate ABS Zoe blocktime deal The Asian Affairs Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved December 2 2020 a b Fuentes Art January 25 2022 Villar company bags 2 broadcast channels previously held by ABS CBN ABS CBN News Archived from the original on January 25 2022 Retrieved January 25 2022 a b Rey Aika January 25 2022 Manny Villar gets ABS CBN frequencies Rappler Archived from the original on January 25 2022 Retrieved January 25 2022 Dela Cruz Raymond Carl January 26 2022 NTC allows 2 firms to use channels formerly used by ABS CBN Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on January 27 2022 Retrieved January 29 2022 MediaQuest officially partnering with ABS CBN Media Newser Philippines August 10 2022 Retrieved August 10 2022 a b c d e f g Cabato Regine May 5 2020 Philippines orders its largest broadcaster off the air as nation fights virus The Washington Post Archived from the original on May 5 2020 Retrieved May 6 2020 a b c d e f g Congressional Franchises as a Weapon to Defeat a Free Press Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility June 17 2016 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to air legitimate ad Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on May 28 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 Corrales Nestor May 6 2016 Cayetano seeks TRO on anti Duterte ad Taguig court grants plea Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on December 21 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 House Bill No 4349 PDF Archived PDF from the original on August 19 2019 Retrieved May 7 2020 Salaverria Leila B April 27 2017 Duterte threatens to block franchise of ABS CBN Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on June 18 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 House Bill No 8163 PDF Archived PDF from the original on September 13 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b Duterte says he will object to renewal of ABS CBN franchise CNN Philippines November 9 2018 Archived from the original on May 13 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b House Bill No 00676 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b House Bill No 3064 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 14 2020 Retrieved May 11 2020 a b House Bill No 3521 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 14 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b House Bill No 3713 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 14 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b House Bill No 3947 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 14 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b Senate Bill No 981 RENEWING THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO ABS CBN BROADCASTING CORPORATION August 28 2019 Archived from the original on December 21 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b House Bill No 4305 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 14 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 CNN Philippines Staff October 29 2019 Cayetano House to tackle ABS CBN franchise renewal bid before yearend CNN Philippines Archived from the original on June 16 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 a b House Bill No 5608 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 14 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 CNN Philippines Staff December 3 2020 Duterte to ABS CBN Next year you re out CNN Philippines Archived from the original on June 23 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 Roxas Pathricia Ann V December 4 2019 Cayetano We have enough time to tackle ABS CBN franchise next year Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on December 25 2019 Retrieved July 17 2020 a b House Bill No 5705 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 14 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b House Bill No 5753 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 14 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Parrocha Azer December 30 2019 Duterte tells ABS CBN owners to sell network Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on December 30 2019 Retrieved July 17 2020 a b Resolution No 639 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b Mercado Neil Arwin February 17 2020 Nearly 100 solons want House panel to now tackle ABS CBN s franchise renewal INQUIRER NET Archived from the original on February 18 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b House Bill No 6052 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 14 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b House Bill No 6138 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 14 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Pulta Benjamin February 10 2020 SolGen asks SC to revoke ABS CBN franchise Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on July 17 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 a b House Bill No 6293 PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 14 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Dela Cruz Raymond Carl May 5 2020 Tackling ABS CBN franchise bills not urgent Cayetano Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on June 4 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 Drilon seeks to extend ABS CBN franchise to end of 2022 senate gov ph February 17 2020 Archived from the original on February 18 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Ager Maila February 17 2020 Drilon files resolution extending ABS CBN franchise until 2022 Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on June 19 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 Lopez Melissa Luz February 18 2020 SolGen asks for gag order on plea to cancel ABS CBN s franchise CNN Philippines Archived from the original on June 29 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 CNN Philippines Staff February 24 2020 ABS CBN says sorry to Duterte for airing controversial political ad in 2016 polls CNN Philippines Archived from the original on July 8 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 Ramos Christia Marie February 24 2020 SEC BIR ABS CBN has no violations regularly paying taxes Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on June 29 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 Gita Carlos Ruth Abbey February 26 2020 Duterte accepts ABS CBN apology distances from franchise issue Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on July 17 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 Santos Eimor February 26 2020 House asks NTC to let ABS CBN operate pending franchise renewal CNN Philippines Archived from the original on May 16 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 Cervantes Filane Mikee February 26 2020 Solon wants 1 year extension of ABS CBN franchise Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on July 17 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 Dela Cruz Divina March 8 2020 ABS CBN Franchise Timeline Manila Times Archived from the original on September 26 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Senate Resolution No 344 AUTHORIZING NTC TO ISSUE A PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY TO ABS CBN CORP ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES Senate of the Philippines March 4 2020 Archived from the original on May 18 2020 Retrieved May 10 2020 a b Senate Bill No 981 AN ACT RENEWING FOR ANOTHER TWENTY FIVE 25 YEARS THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO ABS CBN BROADCASTING CORPORATION March 5 2020 Archived from the original on December 21 2020 Retrieved May 11 2020 Cervantes Filane Mikee March 10 2020 NTC to allow ABS CBN to operate beyond May 4 Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 WHO Director General s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID 19 11 March 2020 World Health Organization Archived from the original on March 11 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Mercado Neil Arwin May 1 2020 Cayetano says no intention to have ABS CBN closed Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on July 17 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 World Press Freedom Day UNESCO Archived from the original on May 8 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Gregorio Xave May 3 2020 SolGen warns NTC of graft charges if it issues ABS CBN provisional permit CNN Philippines Archived from the original on May 5 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 Mercado Neil Arwin May 4 2020 Palace ABS CBN franchise issue all up to NTC Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on May 10 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 Dela Cruz Raymond Carl May 5 2020 ABS CBN ordered to stop broadcast after franchise lapse Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on July 3 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 Al S Vitangcol III May 16 2020 SC bound to deny ABS CBN petition The Manila Times Archived from the original on June 27 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 Robie de Guzman May 19 2020 SC directs NTC Congress to answer ABS CBN vs closure order UNTV News Archived from the original on June 25 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 via Yahoo News Philippines Nakpil Danielle June 30 2020 NTC stops broadcasts of Sky Direct ABS CBN s TV Plus channels in Metro Manila CNN Philippines Archived from the original on July 17 2020 Retrieved July 17 2020 READ ABS CBN Corp statement on the NTC order vs TV Plus channels ABS CBN News June 30 2020 Archived from the original on June 30 2020 Retrieved June 30 2020 READ Sky Cable Corp statement on NTC s cease and desist order ABS CBN News June 30 2020 Archived from the original on June 30 2020 Retrieved June 30 2020 Cervantes Filane Mikee July 10 2020 House panel junks ABS CBN s bid for a 25 year franchise Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on July 10 2020 Retrieved July 10 2020 Cervantes Filane Mikee July 10 2020 Several issues led to denial of ABS CBN franchise bid House body Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on July 10 2020 Retrieved July 10 2020 READ Statement of Solicitor General Jose Calida on the denial of the renewal of ABS CBN s franchise ABS CBN News July 11 2020 Archived from the original on July 11 2020 Retrieved July 11 2020 Navallo Mike August 25 2020 Supreme Court junks ABS CBN s TRO petition over 3 months since shutdown ABS CBN News Archived from the original on August 25 2020 Retrieved August 25 2020 NTC recalls frequencies channels assigned to ABS CBN ABS CBN News September 10 2020 Archived from the original on September 10 2020 Retrieved September 10 2020 Gonzales Cathrine September 18 2020 European Parliament to PH Grant ABS CBN broadcast franchise drop charges vs Ressa Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on October 25 2020 Retrieved September 21 2020 Sotto files new bill to renew ABS CBN s franchise ABS CBN News Archived from the original on January 4 2021 Retrieved January 4 2021 Luna Franco January 18 2021 Vilma Santos files bill for renewed ABS CBN franchise The Philippine Star Archived from the original on January 19 2021 Retrieved January 18 2021 Rosario Ben January 18 2021 Santos Lagman file bills reviving franchise of ABS CBN Manila Bulletin Archived from the original on February 9 2021 Retrieved January 18 2021 Cruz RG January 19 2021 Lawmaker files new House bill seeking fresh ABS CBN franchise ABS CBN News Archived from the original on February 9 2021 Retrieved January 19 2021 Duterte said the he will not allow ABS CBN to operate even though a franchise was given by Congress ABS CBN News Archived from the original on February 9 2021 Retrieved February 9 2021 Duterte No license for ABS CBN even if Congress grants franchise The Philippine Star Archived from the original on February 9 2021 Retrieved February 8 2021 Speaker says ABS CBN franchise renewal will have to wait for next Congress ABS CBN News Retrieved February 11 2021 House Speaker ABS CBN franchise issue will have to wait until 2022 CNN Philippines Retrieved February 11 2021 a b Cabacungan Gil C June 11 2016 ABS CBN in a bind over franchise renewal Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on September 9 2016 Retrieved May 7 2020 Placido Dharel November 8 2018 Duterte to object to ABS CBN franchise renewal ABS CBN News Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 6 2020 Rey Aika Bong Go It s those anti Duterte ads on ABS CBN that got the boss goat Rappler Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b c d Aguilar Krissy Duterte thanks ABS CBN for help in time of COVID 19 pandemic Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b Gascon DJ Yap Dona Z Pazzibugan Leila B Salaverria Melvin Duterte to ABS CBN Apology accepted but franchise up to House Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on March 18 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 RULES AND REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING THE FAIR ELECTION ACT CHAN ROBLES VIRTUAL LAW LIBRARY www chanrobles com Archived from the original on April 6 2020 Retrieved May 5 2020 Pia Gutierrez ABS CBN News Comelec Negative pol ads allowed by law ABS CBN News Archived from the original on February 9 2020 Retrieved May 5 2020 Alvarez Chito Labor human rights groups stand with ABS CBN after NTC orders network s shutdown Manila Bulletin Retrieved May 7 2020 House Bill 4349 17th Congress House of Representatives Republic of the Philippines PDF Archived PDF from the original on August 19 2019 Retrieved May 6 2020 Esguerra Christian V TIMELINE Will ABS CBN get a new broadcast franchise ABS CBN News Archived from the original on May 5 2020 Retrieved May 6 2020 Kravchuk Max Laglagan Na Palace OSG NTC Say House Should Have Acted On ABS CBN Franchise OneNews ph Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Luna Franco Cayetano Congress will be fair on ABS CBN franchise renewal The Philippine Star Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 6 2020 Romero Paolo February 24 2020 ABS CBN president apologizes to Duterte The Philippine Star Archived from the original on February 26 2020 Retrieved February 26 2020 Rey Aika Poe wants Senate to discuss ABS CBN s compliance with franchise terms Rappler Archived from the original on May 8 2020 Retrieved May 6 2020 a b c d Rey Aika Gotinga J C Senate hearing on ABS CBN No breach of laws franchise terms Rappler Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 5 2020 a b c Panaligan Rey May 3 2020 OSG warns NTC against issuing provisional permits to operate to ABS CBN its subsidiary Manila Bulletin Retrieved May 7 2020 Buan Lian EXPLAINER ABS CBN s defense in the Supreme Court quo warranto case Rappler Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b Ramos Christia Marie Calida warns NTC vs granting provisional authority to ABS CBN Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on May 5 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Galvez Daphne NTC ABS CBN will be allowed to operate beyond May 4 Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on May 8 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Provisional authority for ABS CBN illegal The Manila Times May 1 2020 Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Supreme Court junks Calida s quo warranto plea vs ABS CBN as franchise in question expires CNN Philippines June 23 2020 Archived from the original on June 27 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 Mike Navallo June 23 2020 Supreme Court junks SolGen s quo warranto plea vs ABS CBN Corp ABS CBN News Archived from the original on June 23 2020 Retrieved June 23 2020 Rey Panaligan March 5 2020 Gadon asks SC to stop NTC from issuing ABS CBN when franchise expires Manila Bulletin Retrieved June 17 2022 Jomar Canlas May 21 2020 Gadon to withdraw petition vs NTC The Manila Times Archived from the original on June 30 2020 Retrieved June 29 2020 Kristine Joy Patag June 2 2020 SC rejects Gadon plea vs NTC and House scolds petitioner The Philippine Star Archived from the original on July 1 2020 Retrieved June 29 2020 Neil Arwin Mercado May 5 2020 Alvarez NTC may be held in contempt for backtracking on ABS CBN franchise issue Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on July 9 2020 Retrieved July 9 2020 Filane Mikee Cervantes May 11 2020 House panel issues show cause order vs NTC for ABS CBN shutdown Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on July 9 2020 Retrieved July 9 2020 Eimor Santos May 14 2020 NTC apologizes for failure to notify House of shutdown order vs ABS CBN CNN Philippines Archived from the original on July 10 2020 Retrieved July 9 2020 Adel Rosette May 5 2020 NoToABSCBNShutdown plea launched anew after NTC issues cease and desist order vs ABS CBN Interaksyon Archived from the original on May 5 2020 Retrieved May 5 2020 Mercado Neil Arwin May 5 2020 BREAKING NTC orders ABS CBN to stop broadcast operations Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 5 2020 ABS CBN s heart rending last moments before shutting down Philippine Daily Inquirer May 6 2020 Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 5 2020 a b Philippines largest TV network ABS CBN ordered shut Al Jazeera May 6 2020 Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 5 2020 NTC orders ABS CBN to stop broadcasting ABS CBN News May 5 2020 Archived from the original on May 5 2020 Retrieved May 5 2020 President and CEO Carlo L Katigbak s message on the cease and desist order issued to ABS CBN ABS CBN News May 6 2020 Archived from the original on May 5 2020 Retrieved May 5 2020 READ ABS CBN Chairman Mark L Lopez s message on the cease and desist order issued to ABS CBN ABS CBN News May 6 2020 Archived from the original on May 5 2020 Retrieved May 5 2020 Gregorio Xave May 6 2020 ABS CBN goes off air following NTC order CNN Philippines Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved May 5 2020 Rivas Ralf May 5 2020 ABS CBN goes off air after NTC order Rappler Archived from the original on May 5 2020 Retrieved May 5 2020 a b Camus Miguel R May 18 2020 ABS CBN tells NTC not to recall its frequencies Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on June 15 2020 Retrieved June 15 2020 a b Kristine Joy Patag Edu Punay May 13 2020 House OKs provisional franchise for ABS CBN on second reading The Philippine Star Archived from the original on May 21 2020 Retrieved May 14 2020 Ang Stacy May 27 2020 NTC told to refrain from recalling broadcast frequencies of ABS CBN Current PH Archived from the original on June 15 2020 Retrieved June 15 2020 TV Patrol goes online on iWant TFC Facebook and YouTube Manila Standard Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Coconuts Manila May 8 2020 Pinoys tune in as ABS CBN s TV Patrol makes digital comeback Coconuts Manila Coconuts Archived from the original on May 11 2020 Retrieved May 8 2020 ABS CBN runs to Supreme Court to stop NTC shutdown Rappler Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 13 senators to NTC Reconsider ABS CBN shutdown order Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 House Minority Leader wants NTC abolished after ABS CBN shutdown Rappler Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 a b Namiss niyo ba kami Mapapanood at mapapakinggan niyo ang Teleradyo simula bukas Mayo 8 2020 DZMM Teleradyo Twitter page in Tagalog May 7 2020 Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved May 8 2020 MOR 101 9 For Life www facebook com May 7 2020 Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved May 8 2020 Paolo Duterte seeks probe on alleged violations of ABS CBN Philippine News Agency May 12 2020 Archived from the original on May 19 2020 Retrieved May 12 2020 Paolo Duterte 2 others file resolution seeking probe on alleged ABS CBN franchise violations ABS CBN News Archived from the original on May 11 2020 Retrieved May 12 2020 Mercado Neil Arwin Paolo Duterte 2 solons seek probe into ABS CBN s probable violations of franchise Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on May 14 2020 Retrieved May 12 2020 WE RE BACK ON AIR Asianovela Channel June 1 2020 Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved June 3 2020 via Facebook FPJ s Ang Probinsyano and other favorite Kapamilya shows return on cable and satellite TV ABS CBN News June 4 2020 Archived from the original on June 4 2020 Retrieved June 4 2020 Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil s Make It With You is not going back on air Rappler June 5 2020 Archived from the original on June 19 2020 Retrieved June 14 2020 ABS CBN series Pamilya Ko cancellation confirmed through farewell post on social media Philippine Entertainment Portal June 13 2020 Archived from the original on June 13 2020 Retrieved June 14 2020 Uncertainty weighs heavy on Banana Sundae but star Angelica Panganiban counting on return ABS CBN News June 2 2020 Archived from the original on June 14 2020 Retrieved June 14 2020 Buan Lian Supreme Court deliberations on ABS CBN set for July 13 Rappler Archived from the original on June 15 2020 Retrieved June 15 2020 Vanne Elaine Terrazola May 13 2020 Senators hopeful of soon passing temporary franchise for ABS CBN Manila Bulletin Retrieved May 14 2020 Mercado Neil Arwin House opts to proceed with deliberations on ABS CBN s 25 year franchise Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on May 25 2020 Retrieved May 20 2020 House to begin hearings on ABS CBN franchise next week CNN Philippines May 20 2020 Archived from the original on May 29 2020 Retrieved June 14 2020 The truth ABS CBN rebuffs allegations in franchise hearing ABS CBN News June 1 2020 Archived from the original on June 14 2020 Retrieved June 14 2020 ABS CBN s Gabby Lopez attends House franchise hearing Philippine Daily Inquirer June 3 2020 Archived from the original on June 18 2020 Retrieved June 14 2020 Jovee Marie de la Cruz June 8 2020 After 4th House hearing ABS CBN franchise s fate remains in limbo BusinessMirror Archived from the original on June 14 2020 Retrieved June 14 2020 ABS CBN to House PDR holders passive investors not shareholders ABS CBN News June 11 2020 Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved June 14 2020 Return of ABS CBN to Lopez family in 1986 legal approved by SC solons told ABS CBN News June 15 2020 Archived from the original on June 15 2020 Retrieved June 15 2020 Neil Arwin Mercado June 17 2020 Enrile attends House hearing on ABS CBN franchise Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on June 17 2020 Retrieved June 17 2020 ABS CBN franchise hearings to resume on June 29 House committee chair ABS CBN News June 22 2020 Archived from the original on June 23 2020 Retrieved June 22 2020 Committee Meetings Daily House of Representatives www congress gov ph Archived from the original on June 30 2020 Retrieved June 29 2020 FULL House hearing tackles ABS CBN s alleged labor laws violation ABS CBN News www youtube com ABS CBN News June 30 2020 Archived from the original on August 11 2020 Retrieved July 11 2020 a b ABS CBN Corporation v National Telecommunications Commission G R No 252119 Supreme Court of the Philippines a b c G R No 252119 rollo Petition for certiorari and prohibition with urgent applications for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and or a writ of preliminary injunction Archived June 7 2020 at the Wayback Machine May 7 2019 Retrieved June 25 2020 a b c Al S Vitangcol III May 16 2020 SC bound to deny ABS CBN petition The Manila Times Archived from the original on June 27 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 Pulta Benjamin June 25 2020 ABS CBN should remain off air sans TRO from SC SolGen Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on June 25 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 Avecilla Victor May 22 2020 ABS CBN franchise A legal perspective 2 Daily Tribune Archived from the original on June 25 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 Mike Navallo May 18 2020 Gadon wants to block ABS CBN plea vs closure ABS CBN News Archived from the original on July 9 2020 Retrieved July 9 2020 Robie de Guzman May 19 2020 SC directs NTC Congress to answer ABS CBN vs closure order UNTV News Archived from the original on June 25 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 via Yahoo News Philippines Navallo Mike May 26 2020 NTC moves to block ABS CBN s TRO plea vs closure order ABS CBN News Archived from the original on June 27 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 Nicole Anne C Lagrimas Supreme Court to resume discussion on ABS CBN petition vs shutdown order in July GMA News Online Archived from the original on June 21 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 The case was set for July 13 When I say July 13 call again for July 13 I don t know if the resolution will already be ready It is called again July 13 Chief Justice Peralta said Patag Kristine Joy SC resets deliberation on ABS CBN petition to August 4 philstar com Archived from the original on July 14 2020 Retrieved July 14 2020 Tetch Torres Tupas August 25 2020 SC dismisses ABS CBN case vs NTC s cease and desist order Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on September 13 2020 Retrieved August 26 2020 Rey Panaligan August 25 2020 SC dismisses ABS CBN s petition vs NTC s stop broadcast order Manila Bulletin Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved August 26 2020 ABS CBN shows to air on Zoe s new A2Z channel 11 ABS CBN PR October 6 2020 Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved October 6 2020 Zoe Channel 11 rebrands as A2Z offers best type of programming on free TV ABS CBN News October 6 2020 Archived from the original on October 6 2020 Retrieved October 6 2020 The Cignal TV5 amp ABS CBN tie up happening very soon The Philippine Star January 18 2021 Archived from the original on January 18 2021 Retrieved January 19 2021 ASAP Natin To mapapanood na sa TV5 simula sa January 24 PEP ph January 18 2021 Archived from the original on January 18 2021 Retrieved January 18 2021 TV5 simulcasts ASAP Natin To and FPJ Da King starting January 24 ABS CBN PR January 21 2021 Archived from the original on January 23 2021 Retrieved January 21 2021 ABS CBN TV5 team up to bring ASAP Natin To to nationwide viewers ABS CBN News January 21 2021 Archived from the original on January 21 2021 Retrieved January 21 2021 Mercurio Richmond January 25 2021 MVP Too early for expanded ABS CBN TV5 partnership The Philippine Star Archived from the original on January 25 2021 Retrieved January 25 2021 TV5 to simulcast ABS CBN s Primetime Bida starting March 8 ABS CBN News March 5 2021 Archived from the original on March 5 2021 Retrieved March 5 2021 Perez Rubio Bella July 10 2020 List of lawmakers who voted for and against ABS CBN franchise renewal The Philippine Star Archived from the original on July 24 2020 Retrieved July 19 2020 Adel Rosette July 10 2020 Who s who A rundown of votes during ABS CBN franchise renewal final hearing Interaksyon Archived from the original on July 19 2020 Retrieved July 19 2020 Ferreras Vince July 10 2020 How lawmakers voted on ABS CBN s failed bid for new franchise CNN Philippines Archived from the original on July 19 2020 Retrieved July 19 2020 Villaruel Jauhn Etienne July 9 2020 A shameful vote Why House still refuses to identify those who rejected ABS CBN franchise bid ABS CBN News Archived from the original on July 12 2021 Retrieved July 12 2021 Cordero KC August 19 2021 Who is Representive sic Claudine Bautista Philippine Entertainment Portal Archived from the original on August 23 2021 Retrieved August 23 2021 NTC recalls frequencies channels assigned to ABS CBN ABS CBN News September 10 2020 Archived from the original on September 10 2020 Retrieved September 10 2020 NTC takes away ABS CBN s radio TV frequencies GMA News September 10 2020 Archived from the original on September 10 2020 Retrieved September 10 2020 NTC orders recall of ABS CBN s frequencies channels in absence of legislative franchise CNN Philippines September 10 2020 Archived from the original on September 10 2020 Retrieved September 10 2020 de la Cruz Jovee Marie December 8 2020 Revival of ABS CBN possible next year BusinessMirror Archived from the original on January 4 2021 Retrieved December 8 2020 Sotto files new bill to renew ABS CBN s franchise ABS CBN News Archived from the original on January 4 2021 Retrieved January 4 2021 Ager Maila January 6 2021 16 of 24 senators pushing for ABS CBN franchise Inquirer net Archived from the original on January 6 2021 Retrieved January 7 2021 Mercado Neil Arwin January 4 2021 Vilma Santos Recto to file new bill to give ABS CBN 25 year franchise INQUIRER net Archived from the original on January 5 2021 Retrieved January 5 2021 Luna Franco January 18 2021 Vilma Santos files bill for renewed ABS CBN franchise The Philippine Star Archived from the original on January 19 2021 Retrieved January 18 2021 Duterte won t allow ABS CBN to operate even if given a franchise by Congress ABS CBN News Archived from the original on February 9 2021 Retrieved February 9 2021 Duterte No license for ABS CBN even if Congress grants franchise The Philippine Star Archived from the original on February 9 2021 Retrieved February 8 2021 Gita Carlos Ruth Abbey February 9 2021 ABS CBN case up to Ombudsman Palace Philippines News Agency Archived from the original on February 9 2021 Retrieved February 9 2021 Golez Prince February 10 2021 Bahala na sila Duterte leaves graft case vs ABS CBN up to Ombudsman Politiko Archived from the original on February 10 2021 Retrieved February 10 2021 Speaker says ABS CBN franchise renewal will have to wait for next Congress ABS CBN News Archived from the original on February 11 2021 Retrieved February 11 2021 House Speaker ABS CBN franchise issue will have to wait until 2022 CNN Philippines Archived from the original on February 11 2021 Retrieved February 11 2021 Camus Miguel R July 26 2021 Duterte eyes reassignment of ABS CBN s radio frequencies again accuses firm of unpaid taxes INQUIRER net Archived from the original on July 26 2021 Retrieved May 13 2022 Rey Aika January 26 2022 Channel 43 used by ABS CBN goes to Quiboloy s SMNI Rappler Archived from the original on January 26 2022 Retrieved January 26 2022 Crus RG August 16 2022 House committee sets briefing on ABS CBN TV5 deal ABS CBN News Retrieved August 16 2022 Quismorio Elison August 17 2022 What happened ABS CBN TV5 briefing removed from House panel s agenda Manila Bulletin Retrieved August 17 2022 Marcoleta claims TV5 violated its broadcasting franchise with ABS CBN deal CNN Philippines August 16 2022 Retrieved August 16 2022 Congress urged to decide on ABS CBN franchise renewal bills on merits ABS CBN News January 24 2020 Archived from the original on March 25 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 LOOK Stars rally in support of ABS CBN franchise renewal Rappler February 21 2020 Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 NUJP ABS CBN to hold candle lighting vigil SunStar Davao February 27 2020 Archived from the original on February 28 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 KBP Closing down ABS CBN deprives public of news relief amid COVID 19 crisis ABS CBN News May 6 2020 Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 A loss of democracy NUJP chair hits NTC cease and desist order vs ABS CBN ABS CBN News May 5 2020 Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Betrayal to 11 000 workers Labor group senators hit NTC order stopping ABS CBN broadcast ABS CBN News May 5 2020 Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Forced closure of ABS CBN may hurt investor confidence BusinessWorld May 7 2020 Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 ABS CBN shutdown a blow to press freedom Makati Business Club ABS CBN News May 6 2020 Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Nasasakal na kami Bishop sees martial law specter in ABS CBN shutdown ABS CBN News May 7 2020 Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 BASAHIN Pahayag ni Archbishop Socrates Villegas sa pagpapasara ng ABS CBN ABS CBN News in Tagalog May 6 2020 Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Radio Veritas Catholic schools rally behind ABS CBN Manila Bulletin May 7 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Guno Nina GMA stars journos stand with ABS CBN in wake of sign off Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved May 6 2020 Stars react to ABS CBN being ordered to close TV radio operations ABS CBN News May 5 2020 Archived from the original on May 5 2020 Retrieved May 6 2020 Elemia Camille May 7 2020 Aquino Duterte created own unnecessary problem in ABS CBN shutdown Rappler Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 5 2022 NoToABSCBNShutDown tops local Twitter list after NTC issues halt order ABS CBN News May 5 2020 Archived from the original on May 5 2020 Retrieved May 6 2020 Baizas Gaby May 6 2020 Stifling ABS CBN deprives Filipinos of vital information schools say Rappler Archived from the original on May 9 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 ABS CBN workers may get cash aid from government says Roque ABS CBN News Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Dumlao Abadilla Doris GMA7 shares up 24 after ABSCBN s shutdown Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on May 8 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 GMA shares rise but rally seen as unsustainable The Manila Times May 7 2020 Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Arianne Merez ABS CBN News Unfair Palace decries reports linking Duterte to ABS CBN shutdown ABS CBN News Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Duterte spokesman thanks ABS CBN for pandemic aid ABS CBN News Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Duterte asks Congress Why not just pass ABS CBN franchise ABS CBN News Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Casilao Joahna Lei May 5 2020 FICTAP claims ABS CBN killing cable TV industry GMA News Archived from the original on May 8 2020 Retrieved May 10 2020 GMA 7 airs one sided interview against ABS CBN Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility May 16 2020 Archived from the original on May 16 2020 Madarang Catalina Ricci S May 7 2020 One franchise one frequency Cable TV operators claims vs ABS CBN debunked Interaksyon Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved May 10 2020 Macaraeg Pauline EXPLAINER FICTAP Issues vs ABS CBN s franchise renewal Rappler Archived from the original on May 9 2020 Retrieved May 10 2020 Esguerra Darryl John ABS CBN shutdown a shame for NTC Congress Locsin says Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on May 8 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Mercado Neil Arwin Defensor to some solons on ABS CBN shutdown Why speak up only now Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 Frater Patrick May 5 2020 Philippines Orders Closure of ABS CBN Country s Largest Broadcaster Variety Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 8 2020 Barnaby Lo May 6 2020 Philippines biggest TV network silenced after years feuding with Duterte CBS News Archived from the original on May 8 2020 Retrieved May 8 2020 Rebecca Ratcliffe May 5 2020 Philippines main channel forced off air amid coronavirus lockdown The Guardian Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 8 2020 Jim Gomez May 6 2020 Leading TV network goes off air under Philippine gov t order Associated Press Archived from the original on May 6 2020 Retrieved May 8 2020 Independent broadcaster ABS CBN shut down by Philippines Government in crushing blow to press freedom ABC News May 6 2020 Archived from the original on May 8 2020 Retrieved May 8 2020 Duterte orders major TV network to halt operation NHK World May 6 2020 Archived from the original on May 9 2020 Retrieved May 9 2020 フィリピン政権 国内最大手の民放テレビ局に業務停止命令 NHK in Japanese May 6 2020 Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 9 2020 필리핀 두테르테 눈엣가시 방송사에 방송 중단 명령 KBS News in Korean Korean Broadcasting System May 6 2020 Archived from the original on June 22 2020 Retrieved June 21 2020 민영규 May 5 2020 두테르테 눈엣가시 필리핀 최대 방송사 방송중단 위기 Yonhap News Agency in Korean Archived from the original on June 21 2020 Retrieved June 21 2020 Jon Reed May 5 2020 Leading Philippine broadcaster ABS CBN ordered to close Financial Times Archived from the original on May 5 2020 Retrieved May 8 2020 Raul Dancel May 5 2020 Philippines top broadcaster ABS CBN that irked Duterte ordered off the air The Straits Times Archived from the original on May 7 2020 Retrieved May 8 2020 Gillan Ropero May 6 2020 How the world sees it ABS CBN shutdown makes international headlines ABS CBN News Archived from the original on May 8 2020 Retrieved May 8 2020 Malasig Jeline May 15 2020 Closure of ABS CBN broadcast operations affects Filipinos in far flung areas amid Ambo s onslaught Archived from the original on May 16 2020 Retrieved May 16 2020 Lalu Gabriel Pabico May 15 2020 Netizens claim some folks unaware of Typhoon Ambo due to absence of ABS CBN Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on May 16 2020 Retrieved May 16 2020 Ang Probinsyano other ABS CBN shows to return via cable satellite TV Rappler June 4 2020 Archived from the original on June 9 2020 Retrieved June 14 2020 Jerusalem Jigger Mindanao solon says denial of ABS CBN franchise defies evidence Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on July 12 2020 Retrieved July 16 2020 Antonio Raymond Groups slam denial of ABS CBN franchise renewal Manila Bulletin Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved July 16 2020 Stars and supporters protest ABS CBN shutdown Rappler July 18 2020 Archived from the original on July 20 2020 Retrieved July 22 2020 ABS CBN employees gather in prayer journalists hold noise barrage Philippine Daily Inquirer July 18 2020 Archived from the original on July 20 2020 Retrieved July 22 2020 Gallardo Froilan July 26 2020 3 funeral wreaths delivered to ABS CBN in CDO as employees supporters stage protest action MindaNews Archived from the original on July 27 2020 Retrieved July 27 2020 Damicog Jeffrey July 18 2020 ABS CBN supporters launch Pirma Kapamilya campaign Manila Bulletin Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved July 18 2020 Damicog Jeffrey July 25 2020 PIRMA Kapamilya signature campaign launched Manila Bulletin Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved July 25 2020 Camus Miguel September 3 2020 ABS CBN shutdown aftermath Research firm ad agencies also cutting jobs Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on September 3 2020 Retrieved September 7 2020 Kantar Reverses Closure of Philippines TV Ratings Research Live October 6 2020 Archived from the original on October 8 2020 Retrieved October 6 2020 Famed ALA Promotions to shut down FightNews com August 18 2020 Archived from the original on December 16 2020 Retrieved January 19 2021 Matel Philip August 18 2020 ALA Boxing bids farewell after 35 years to release all its fighters ESPN5 Archived from the original on November 15 2020 Retrieved January 19 2021 ALA Boxing closes shop after 35 years Inquirer net August 18 2020 Archived from the original on August 19 2020 Retrieved January 19 2021 Songalia Ryan August 18 2020 ALA Boxing once Philippines top promotional company closes doors after 35 years The Ring Archived from the original on January 17 2021 Retrieved January 19 2021 Saldajeno Ivan Stewart August 18 2020 ALA Boxing closes shop after 35 years Philippine News Agency Archived from the original on January 27 2021 Retrieved January 19 2021 Gasgonia Dennis August 18 2020 Philippine boxing took hit on the chin with closure of ALA ABS CBN News Archived from the original on August 24 2020 Retrieved January 19 2021 Santos Elmor ABS CBN to lay off workers effective August 31 CNN Philippines Archived from the original on July 16 2020 Retrieved July 16 2020 MOR tuluyan nang magsasara DJ Chacha naiyak in Filipino ABS CBN News July 16 2020 Archived from the original on August 6 2020 Retrieved August 8 2020 Biong Ian DJ Chacha laments last 45 days of MOR 101 9 after ABS CBN shutdown Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on July 16 2020 Retrieved July 16 2020 Amanda Lago July 23 2020 After ABS CBN shutdown Sagip Pelikula faces uncertain future Rappler Archived from the original on July 24 2020 Retrieved August 4 2020 12 regional TV Patrol programs to air final newscasts on August 28 ABS CBN News August 26 2020 Archived from the original on August 26 2020 Retrieved August 26 2020 ACJ O Shopping Corp to cease operations says ABS CBN ABS CBN News July 8 2020 Archived from the original on July 8 2020 Retrieved July 8 2020 O Shopping Cease Broadcast and Channel Assignment Change Sky Cable October 1 2020 Archived from the original on October 24 2020 Retrieved October 1 2020 Matel Philip July 16 2020 ABS CBN Sports longtime home of numerous leagues signs off ESPN5 com Archived from the original on July 18 2020 Retrieved July 22 2020 Ulanday John Bryan July 13 2020 Pacquiao s MPBL moves on from ABS CBN looks for new TV home The Philippine Star Archived from the original on July 16 2020 Retrieved July 22 2020 Escarlote Mark July 19 2020 PVL scrambles to find new home as ABS CBN Sports shuts down ABS CBN Sports Archived from the original on July 24 2020 Retrieved July 24 2020 Liga Channel Cease Broadcast Sky Cable October 8 2020 Archived from the original on December 2 2020 Retrieved October 9 2020 spa, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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