In a congressional hearing on ABS-CBN's legislative franchise yesterday, National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) officials assured the media that they would give the Kapamilya network a temporary permit to continue its operation even after the franchise expired. NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba gave assurance to congressmen.
“May I assure this committee that barring a gross violation of its franchise, the NTC will follow the latest advise of the DoJ (Department of Justice) and let ABS-CBN continue its operations, based on equity… Actually, it would be premature to do that right now because there is an existing provisional authority right now in the existing franchise. The life of the franchise is concurrent with the life of the provisional authority, ”Cordoba said.
But in a social media post, prosecutor Atty. Darwin Cañete said NTC officials would likely face the case.
“It would be a gamble for the NTC to extend provisional authority to ABS CBN. Anyone involved would likely be charged for graft. Not only for this act but for past acts they did it after the Supreme Court made a clear “no franchise no broadcast” ruling, ”said Atty. Cañete
In an interview with franchise lawyer Atty. Rolex Suplico explained what the ABS-CBN's proving authority is. According to the lawyer, the franchise of the Kapmilya network is still unclear.
“It's gone. In fact I'm looking at the timetable, it's really (ABS-CBN franchise). What can happen is that the President will certify it as urgent but I don't think the President will certify. I've never heard of an instance where a president is certified as urgent a franchise bill…. No hearings and committee report yet. The committee report will still be prepared for members to sign and will submit another second reading. There is nothing like that, ”explained Atty. Suplico.
{Source: Manila Times | ABS-CBN | Darwin Cañete | SMNI | Archive}
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