Guevarra says ABS-CBN can appeal NTC to courts

May 6, 2020

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the order of the National Telecommunications Commission ( NTC) for ABS-CBN to stop the operations of several of its radio and television stations can be reviewed by courts.

"A CDO (cease and desist order) is immediately executory but still appealable to the courts," Guevarra said in a message to reporters Wednesday.

 Guevarra stressed that compliance of the NTC order will be up to ABS-CBN.

"It's up to ABS-CBN if it will comply," he said, referring to NTC order for the media giant to "immediately cease and desist" from operating several radio and television stations as its 25-year legislative franchise expired on May 4.

The NTC also required the company to explain within 10 days why the frequencies assigned to it should not be recalled.

Guevarra’s position on the matter was essentially similar to Congress.

The House of Representatives' franchise committee had urged the NTC to grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate.

"The NTC issued a cease-and-desist order instead. It must have a very good reason for doing so. Let's wait for its explanation," Guevarra said.

Solicitor General Jose Calida earlier warned NTC officials that they could face graft charges if they grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate.

Calida cited a Supreme Court decision in claiming that the commission cannot issue a provisional authority to a broadcast company that has no valid franchise. DMS