Saturday, June 10, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home News National

NTC: Time to allot TV frequencies

Rey E. RequejobyRey E. Requejo
January 28, 2022, 12:50 am
in National, News
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

A senior official of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Thursday said the agency granted the television frequencies formerly held by ABS-CBN Corp. to allies of President Rodrigo Duterte because they had been left unused for over a year.

“It’s been more than 1 year already since these spectrums remain unused, unutilized and unassigned so the Commission en banc decided to assign so that it can be used for public good and public convenience,” NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarrios said in an interview with ANC.

Channel 2 and 16, which were formerly assigned to ABS-CBN, were granted to a firm owned by former senator Manny Villar, the billionaire and one of the biggest supporters of President Duterte.

The NTC also provided Channel 43, which used to air ABS-CBN TV Plus programs, to Swara Sug Media Corp., operating as Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy – Duterte’s spiritual adviser.

Further, Channel 23, which used to air ABS-CBN’s sports and action channel, was assigned to Aliw Broadcasting Corp., established in 1991 and owned by ALC Group of Companies founded by the late ambassador Antonio Cabangon Chua.

Cabarrios said leaving the frequencies idle was “disadvantageous to the public.” He also said that waiting for the next administration to be installed before assigning the frequencies would mean they would be idle for more than 2 years.

Even as Cabarrios fended off criticism that it was a “midnight deal” with the Duterte administration ending in June, one of the lawmakers who was instrumental in denying the franchise of ABS-CBN raised concern over the NTC’s move.

House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta raised concern over the NTC move to give the analog and digital broadcast frequencies previously held by ABS-CBN to Villar-owned Advanced Media Broadcasting System, Inc.

In a statement, Marcoleta pointed out the supposed lack of transparency by the NTC, saying that this could still be perceived by some as a “midnight deal.”

“While I view this development with qualified optimism, we cannot ignore the fact that there appears less or even lack of transparency in the grant of frequencies by the NTC. That being so, the public or otherwise interested entities might view this arrangement as a midnight deal, a situation that we need to avoid,” Marcoleta said.

Meanwhile, a Justice official said the department did not expect the legal opinion sought by the NTC from them would be used to justify the award of the frequencies previously owned by ABS-CBN.

In a television interview over TV5 “The Big Story,” Chief State Counsel George Ortha II said the NTC sought the Department of Justice legal opinion last November.

“Essentially the request of NTC revolves on two issues. One, is whether it can issue certificates of public convenience and necessity or provisional authorities; the second one is the assignment of such frequencies,” Ortha stressed.

The NTC apparently did not refer to any company or franchise in their request for legal opinion.

A think-tank earlier noted that under subsection 6.4 of Republic Act No. 9006 or the Fair Elections Act, “No franchise or permit to operate
a radio or television station shall be granted or issued, suspended or canceled during the election period.”

The NTC orders assigning frequencies used by ABS-CBN were dated Jan. 5 (Wednesday) and Jan. 6 (Thursday), a few days before this year’s
election period opened on Jan. 9 (Monday).

Villar’s son, Mark, served in the Cabinet as Public Works Secretary, and is being supported by the administration party PDP-Laban (Cusi
wing) in the May 9 polls.

Villar’s daughter, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, voted in 2020 against granting ABS-CBN a new franchise.

Marcoleta, a senatorial aspirant being endorsed by the BBM-Sara UniTeam, said it cannot be discounted that people would think there is
a conflict of interest in this issue.

“Others might view it as a trade-off, or a midnight deal, considering that the grant of frequencies was done just days before the start of the election period. Still others might speculate that the said arrangement would have the effect of relieving ABS-CBN of its sins and multiple violations that the people were all made aware of in an open public hearing,” the lawmaker said.

Marcoleta also said the grant of provisional authority to test broadcast Channel 2 may be used only for political purposes that would
favor select candidates.

“This is because the said frequency will be repurposed after the analog shut off (ASO) on December 31, 2023 and shall be returned to NTC for other use. This means that this channel, or any part of its spectrum, cannot migrate into digital frequency-rendering the test broadcast is a doubtful exercise except for political motive,” he said.

“If Channel 2 is repurposed as a telco frequency, it can no longer be re-assigned to AMBS because the latter is a broadcast company and will not be allowed to use a telco frequency. This is the prohibition against super franchises that cover two or more industries,” Marcoleta added.

Ortha added: “It is purely a legal question. There was no particular person or entity mentioned in the request for opinion. In fact, the DOJ is not aware of how (sic) there were available frequencies, how it came about.”

“We don’t know whose entity, franchise that expired and we do not know also to whom these available frequencies will be assigned to,” the DOJ
official explained.

According to him, the two issues raised by the NTC in their legal opinion were clearly within the NTC’s power “except that they have a memorandum circular issued sometime in 2014 that within Mega Manila they will not be issuing any more authority for those who apply for the digital terrestrial TV.”

“So they wanted to clarify if, despite that circular, they can still allocate available frequencies,” Ortha pointed out.

Tags: ABS-CBNEdgardo CabarriosNational Telecommunications CommissionRodrigo Duterte
ADVERTISEMENT
Rey E. Requejo

Rey E. Requejo

Related Posts

20,000 flee restive Mayon

byCharles Dantesand2 others
June 10, 2023, 1:05 am
0
8
20,000 flee restive Mayon

Blast at summit sign of possible eruption as Albay declares state of calamity MAYON AGLOW. Mayon Volcano's crater is aglow...

Read more

Gov’t keeping close eye on Taal, Kanlaon activities too

byCharles Dantes
June 10, 2023, 1:00 am
0
8
Alert Level 2 up as Taal Volcano remains restive

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has ordered its offices in the Bicol region and Calabarzon to heighten their monitoring...

Read more

El Niño here, US agency says; Save more water, PBBM orders

byVince Lopez
June 10, 2023, 12:55 am
0
8
Brace for new heat records: UN raises alert on El Niño by July

An expected El Nino climate phenomenon has arrived, raising fears of extreme weather and temperature records, scientists at the US...

Read more

NAIA 3 suffers 30-min. power outage anew

byMacon Ramos-Aranetaand1 others
June 10, 2023, 12:50 am
0
8
Customs seizes 28 lizards from toy shipments

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country’s premier gateway, suffered another 30-minute-long power outage on Friday – barely a...

Read more

Focus on besting 6% GDP growth, lawmakers urged

byMaricel Cruz
June 10, 2023, 12:45 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. urged the House of Representatives to remain committed to...

Read more

DMW lists 20 ‘cardinal sins’ for recruitment agencies

byManila Standard
June 10, 2023, 12:40 am
0
8
Palace awaits DMW report on US island labor dispute

To strengthen the rights and welfare of land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) signed on...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • Chinese Rocket Part
  • 20,000 flee restive Mayon
  • Gov’t keeping close eye on Taal, Kanlaon activities too
  • El Niño here, US agency says; Save more water, PBBM orders
  • NAIA 3 suffers 30-min. power outage anew
  • Focus on besting 6% GDP growth, lawmakers urged
  • DMW lists 20 ‘cardinal sins’ for recruitment agencies
  • Number coding shelved for June 12 celebrations

Advertisement

Latest News

Focus on besting 6% GDP growth, lawmakers urged

byMaricel Cruz
June 10, 2023, 12:45 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. urged the House of Representatives to remain committed to...

Read more

DMW lists 20 ‘cardinal sins’ for recruitment agencies

byManila Standard
June 10, 2023, 12:40 am
0
8
Palace awaits DMW report on US island labor dispute

To strengthen the rights and welfare of land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) signed on...

Read more

Number coding shelved for June 12 celebrations

byJoel E. Zurbano
June 10, 2023, 12:35 am
0
8
Number coding shelved for June 12 celebrations

There will be no number coding on Monday, June 12, as the country celebrates its 125th Independence Day, according to...

Read more

April unemployment drops to 4.5%

byJulito G. Radaand2 others
June 10, 2023, 12:30 am
0
8
2022 trade deficit hit record $58.3b, imports surged 17%

The country’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.5 percent in April 2023 from 5.7 percent a year ago and 4.7 percent...

Read more

Marcos looking toward stronger PH-China ties

byVince Lopez
June 10, 2023, 12:25 am
0
8
Doc kills 3, hurt 1 in shooting at Ateneo campus

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Friday said he looks forward to stronger Philippine-China ties as both nations celebrate the 48th...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App