President Duterte on shut down: Why not just pass ABS-CBN franchise?

Presidential Spokesperson reveals stand of President Duterte about ABS-CBN franchise renewal issue after it has shut down.

ABS-CBN FRANCHISE – Harry Roque reveals President Rodrigo Duterte’s reaction after NTC ordered shutting down of ABS-CBN network.

As much as President Rodrigo Duterte wanted to grant the 25-year franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, he cannot do so because he doesn’t have the power. In a previous article, through Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the president relayed that whatever the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) would have to decide, they will follow.

What the president accordingly stands for is that if the Congress can pass a resolution indicating for NTC to give the network provisional authority to operate after expiration, why can’t they just pass a law that would give the biggest network in the country a franchise. Previously, several officials assured network that the Kapamilya network will have the provisional permit but it did not happen.

ABS-CBN network received a cease and desist order, instead, from the NTC. Last May 4, the Kapamilya network’s 25-year franchise expired. Also, the Department of Information and Communications Technology was not able to interfere with the NTC’s decision because they are “quasi-judicial body.”

Roque has then added based on report from ABS-CBN, “Huwag po kayong mag-alala mga congressmen. Hindi po magagalit, hindi matutuwa ang Presidente kung kayo po’y ipasa ang ABS-CBN. Completely neutral po ang Presidente d’yan.”

Solicitor General Jose Calida, meanwhile, filed a quo warranto versus the network amid the franchise renewal delays. He was also the one who warned NTC about facing charges if they ever grant the network a provisional authority to operate.

ABS-CBN stopped airing last night, May 5 at around 7 in the evening and many hearts got broken and also went out for those people who lost their job in a snap.