MANILA – Sen.
Franklin Drilon on Wednesday took to task the country’s telecoms body for ordering ABS-CBN to halt its broadcast operations – a move he said violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution.
The Senate minority leader stressed that NTC previously allowed companies to operate even after the lapse of their franchises while Congress deliberates their renewal.Under the constitutional principle, similar subjects should not be treated differently as to give undue favor to some and unjustly discriminate against others, according to Drilon.
“By ordering ABS-CBN to stop operations after the lapse of its franchise while allowing other similarly situated to continue to operate, then, clearly, the NTC is placing ABS-CBN in a class of its own, thereby violating the equal protection clause mandated by the Constitution,” Drilon said.“It has a ripple effect because other franchisees similarly situated with the ABS-CBN will also have to cease operation eventually. It has negative consequences and far-reaching implications,” he added.
Solicitor General Jose Calida earlier sought the high court to nullify the network’s franchise citing alleged abuses, such as pay-per-view services.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
BREAKING: NTC orders ABS-CBN to stop broadcast operationsMANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Tuesday issued a Cease and Desist Order against ABS-CBN after its legislative franchise expired on May 4. In an Order dated May 5, the NTC directed ABS-CBN to stop operating its television and radio broadcasting stations nationwide “absent a valid Congressional Franchise required by law.” NTC […]
Read more »
#NoToABSCBNShutdown plea launched anew after NTC issues cease and desist order vs ABS-CBN(UPDATED May 5; 5:54 p.m.) Calls opposing the shutdown of broadcast giant ABS-CBN were once again launched online on Tuesday after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a Cease and Desist Order against the network “due to the expiration of its congressional franchise.” In an order dated May 5, 2020, the NTC ordered the network “to …
Read more »
House franchises chairman warns NTC on failing to issue ABS-CBN provisional permitThe warning comes after the Office of the Solicitor General’s threat of graft charges for the National Telecommunications Commission if it decides to issue ABS-CBN Corporation a provisional authority to operate.
Read more »
ABS-CBN’s TV, radio stations go off air ‘tonight’ to comply with NTC orderMANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN Corp. said in a statement Tuesday afternoon that its television and radio stations will go off the air Tuesday night in compliance with the National Telecommunications
Read more »
ABS-CBN to go off air in compliance with NTC order
Read more »
ABS-CBN set to go off-air after NTC orderMedia giant ABS-CBN will go off-air on Tuesday evening, May 5, to comply with the cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission. CourageON StandWithABSCBN DefendPressFreedom
Read more »