During the first hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise on March 10, Alvarez’s committee approved a resolution adopting the letter enjoining the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to let the network continue to operate while Congress deliberated the renewal of its franchise. Calida has been staunchly against allowing ABS-CBN to operate without a franchise. Calida had reportedly warned the NTC against issuing a provisional authority to the network unless it was granted a franchise by Congress. Gadon said the provisional permit to operate without a valid congressional franchise would give “undue benefit and advantage” to ABS-CBN. The Manila Times sought for updates and comments from ABS-CBN and NTC officials, including the Department of Information and Communications Technology, but no answers were given as of press time.

Source: Manila Times May 04, 2020 16:30 UTC