Calida earlier warned NTC commissioners that they could face charges under the country’s anti-graft and corruption laws should they grant ABS-CBN provisional authority in the absence of a franchise. Kowtowing to Calida’s threats means a goodbye NTC’s autonomy, a goodbye to press freedom,” the lawmaker said. Zarate further said Calida failed to consider that ABS-CBN “is very important in the information dissemination and relief operations” as the country grapples with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. “We again strongly urge the NTC to rise to the challenge and issue the provisional permit to ABS-CBN now even as the House is deliberating the renewal of its franchise,” he added. ABS-CBN has since maintained that it did not violate any law governing its franchise and that it had secured all necessary approvals for its business operations.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 03, 2020 15:33 UTC