CBCP calls for resumption of ABS-CBN operations

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) weighed in on the ABS-CBN Corp. issue, saying it should be allowed to resume regular operations for the sake of its employees and the public.

Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, CBCP president, said the suspension of the network’s operations affected more than 11,000 employees and their families, and it might lead to the workers’ permanent job displacement.

He added that the government should consider the welfare of common people, saying also that his thoughts were with the employees displaced amid these “extremely difficult and trying times.”

Valles also said he hoped “that the media giant may be allowed to resume its broadcast the soonest to the benefit of our people.”

“I sincerely hope and pray that our government, especially our Congress, will work together to resolve the issue.”

During this health crisis, people need information more than ever, Valles said.

The network went off-air after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order on May 4 when ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise expired.

Despite the NTC’s order, ABS-CBN has been using the frequency of another broadcaster that allows it to air four of its digital-television channels.

Meanwhile, the franchise renewal remains pending in the House of Representatives.

The CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Communications (ESCS) also urged the legislators “to act expeditiously and judiciously” on the renewal.

“And we hope that the lawmakers do the same on all the other franchise applications of other media networks already on their desk for passing and renewal,” said ECSC Chairman Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit of Boac.

“We value and uphold press freedom, and thus believe that the delay of renewal and the closure of any recognized media channel jeopardize this same freedom and deprive our people of their right to access news and information,” he said.

The Association of Major Religious in the Philippines said, “These are dangerous times for democracy which call for courage and vigilance. We wait for the resurrection of the ABS-CBN.”

ABS-CBN on digital TV

In a statement issued on Saturday, ABS-CBN said it had leased airtime from unnamed broadcasters in Metro Manila, Laguna, Iloilo, Bacolod and some parts of Baguio through a block-time arrangement.

The lease allows the network to air its movie channel Cinemo, kids’ channel Yey, news channel DZMM “Teleradyo,” and pay-per-view movie service Kapamilya Box Office (KBO).

“The TVplus box, which is a digital receiver, allows viewers to watch other free to air channels as long as they broadcast on digital signal,” the announcement said.

Its cable news channel, ANC, continues to air despite the shutdown, as it is not covered by the order that only regulates public airwaves.

Its national news program, “TV Patrol,” resumed airing on Thursday on ANC, as well as on its social media pages, reaching a total of 8.3 million views on Facebook and 870,737 views on YouTube, the statement said.

The network also announced that “TV Patrol” would also air on Teleradyo and Cinemo channels on TVplus, in addition to the platforms mentioned earlier.

The network has appealed to the public for understanding as it continues to resolve its issues in order for them to resume operations while urging congress to resolve its franchise renewal.

Up to Congress to abolish NTC

Also on Saturday, Malacañang reiterated that it was neutral in the franchise issue, addressing calls to abolish the NTC saying that only Congress had the power to do that.

In a virtual press briefing, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the Constitution was clear in saying that only Congress could give a franchise, and that no other government body has that power.

ABS-CBN has filed for a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, and Roque said the public should wait for its reply.

The spokesman was reacting to the statement by House Minority Leader and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., who had filed a bill to abolish the NTC.

Abante cited the NTC’s “failure all these years to involve sanctions against the companies poorly serving the people’s telecommunications needs.”

“Our National Telecommunications Commission, supposedly in charge of regulating and promoting the telecommunications industry has turned out to be one of the most inept and useless agencies whose only relevance lies in being another model for sheer wastage of taxpayer money,” congressman wrote in his explanatory note.

“But the latest act of the NTC in issuing a cease and desist order against broadcast company ABS-CBN is a slap in the face of Congress and an outright act of defiance,” he added.

With reports from RED MENDOZA AND CATHERINE S. VALENTE

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/05/10/news/top-stories/cbcp-calls-for-resumption-of-abs-cbn-operations/723846/