The National Telecommunications Commission ordered a recall on the frequencies assigned to ABS-CBN, which it said was “warranted” as they were not granted a legislative franchise.
“The denial of respondent’s franchise renewal application by Congress, coupled with the denial of respondent’s petition by the Supreme Court, lead to no other conclusion except that respondent had already lost the privilege of installing, operating, and maintaining radio broadcasting stations in the country,” the NTC said in a decision released to the media Thursday.
“Consequentially, absent a valid legislative franchise, the recall of the frequencies assigned to respondent is warranted.”
ABS-CBN’s broadcast franchise expired last May 4. Its free TV and radio channels went off the air on May 5 following a cease and desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission.
The broadcasting giant’s application for fresh 25-year franchise was denied by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
Fitch Solutions earlier called the shutdown “highly politicized.”
