This, after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered ABC-CBN to “cease and desist” from broadcasting on television and radio, one day after the company’s 25-year operating franchise expired.
In a tweet hours after ABS-CBN went off air, Sotto said senators will approve the franchise renewal once it reaches them.
"ABS Franchise, bring it to the Senate, we will approve it!" he wrote.
Meanwhile, Sen. Richard Gordon called the NTC's cease and desist order against ABS-CBN as "a transgression of freedom of speech and expression."ABS Franchise, bring it to the Senate, we will approve it!— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) May 5, 2020
"To begin with, it infringes on authority of the legislative branch of government, which is already in the process of deliberating the franchise. It also comes at a time when it has never been more important for government and media to be allies, not adversaries," he said in a statement.
"During this pandemic that continues to threaten the country, our people, and our economy, we need to be sending out vital lifesaving information to our people on a daily basis, something that mass media is in the best position to help us with," Gordon added.
According to Gordon, it is up to the judiciary to decide on any violation of the franchise agreement on the the part of ABS-CBN, if any.
Several other senators have condemned the NTC for stopping broadcast operations of ABS-CBN, months after the latter assured Congress that a provisional authority to operate would be given to the Philippines' largest media network.
NTC issued the order after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned the agency against issuing a temporary permit to operate for ABS-CBN.
Calida has asked the Supreme Court to invalidate ABS-CBN's franchise for its alleged Constitutional violations, but the high court has yet tot rule on the matter.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/05/20/we-will-approve-it-sotto-says-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-should-be-brought-to-senate
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