SC denies ABS-CBN temporary restraining order vs NTC

May 19, 2020

The Supreme Court on Tuesday did not grant ABS-CBN a temporary restraining order to stop the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) from implementing its cease-and desist order that forced the broadcast firm to go off the air on May 4.

In an en banc session, the SC justices ordered the NTC, the House of Representatives and the Senate to file their respective comment on ABS-CBN's petition challenging the  NTC order.

Court spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka said the SC gave the NTC, the House of Representatives, and the Senate 10 days from receipt of notice to comment.

ABS-CBN named the NTC as a respondent in its petition,  but the SC separately impleaded both Houses of Congress and  required them to file a comment, Hosaka said in a text message.

The SC also gave the NTC five days to reply to the comments to be filed by the House and Senate.

“The (Court) actions were unanimously approved by the 14 justices of the Supreme Court,” Hosaka said.

ABS-CBN asked the SC to immediately issue a temporary restraining order to stop the NTC from implementing its decsion. The broadcast firm said the cease and desist order was issued without notice and hearing, to the detriment of its 11,000 workers. DMS