House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano broke his silence days after the National Telecommunications Commission ordered ABS-CBN to shutdown as the media giant’s license as already expired.
In his Facebook post, the house speaker said that NTC earlier mentioned that they would grant Provisional Authority until the congress reaches a final decision – which is why the Congress saw the immediate need to address a bigger threat to the country: The COVID-19 pandemic.
Cayetano alleged that the NTC has apparently ‘succumbed’ to the pressure from the Office of the Solicitor General Jose Calida.
“Last Tuesday, we were all ambushed by the NTC. Despite their assurance given under oath. Despite the legal opinion of the Department of Justice. Despite a resolution from the Senate, and several verbal and written assurance given to Congress – the NTC appears to have succumbed to pressure from the Solicitor General, and issued a cease and desist order to ABS-CBN,” said Cayetano.
The House Speaker then assured the public that they will soon conduct unbiased, comprehensive hearings to tackle the issue.
“For those asking what Congress will do – the answer is simple – our job. The Committee on Legislative Franchises will conduct hearings in a manner that is consistent with what we have always said. That is – fair, impartial, thorough, and comprehensive,” concluded Cayetano.
Several lawmakers had accused Cayetano for his apparent inaction on the franchise after the network went off-air last May 5.
“Kasalanan namin ito eh. Kasalanan ng Kongreso ito. But more important, I’d like to say, squarely, kasalanan ni Speaker Cayetano ito. Pagkukulang niya ito sa bayan,” said Buhay Representative Lito Atienza.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte had already accepted the apology of ABS-CBN’s top executives for their failure to air part of the president’s campaign materials.
Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque likewise stated that the President is thankful for ABS-CBN’s efforts in providing information and relief assistance for the public.
Secretary Roque assured that the president has no hands in NTC’s cease and desist order and stressed that the President has no power to reverse the quasi-judicial en bank decision.
