ABS-CBN can operate until June 2022, says NTC

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is set to issue a provisional authority to allow ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries to operate until June 2022.

According to a report by ABS-CBN News, Congress is continuing its deliberation process on the network’s franchise renewal bid. As the NTC has received a resolution from the Senate and the House of Representatives, the agency will then issue a temporary permit.

NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarlos stated to reporters that, “The advice is, if there is a concurrent resolution already, then we can issue the provisional authority.” He also mentioned that unless the court restrains them from doing so, the agency will certainly issue a provisional permit for ABS-CBN which is valid until June 2022.

The report also mentioned that Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon both praised the NTC decision, stating that the agency “upheld jurisprudence and precedence by extending to ABS-CBN the same relief it gave other broadcasting networks.”

Lawyer Larry Gadon has filed a petition against the decision, questioning the high court whether a provisional authority from the agency is enough basis to authorize the network’s operations after its franchise expires on May 4, 2020.

The Congress will resume its session on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal bid on May 4.

Source: ABS-CBN News