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NTC recalls frequencies, channels assigned to ABS-CBN

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/02/27/20200225-abs-cbn-tower-gcs-125449.jpg"/></figure></div><p>MANILA - The National Telecommunications Commission on Thursday recalled the frequencies assigned to ABS-CBN, which it said was “warranted” in the absence of a legislative franchise.</p><p>&quot;The denial of respondent&#x27;s franchise renewal application by Congress, coupled with the denial of respondent&#x27;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,&quot; the NTC said in a decision released to the media Thursday.</p><p>&quot;Consequentially, absent a valid legislative franchise, the recall of the frequencies assigned to respondent is warranted,&quot; the decision dated Sept. 9 said.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Look: NTC order recalling all frequencies/channels assigned to ABS-CBN corporation. <a href="https://t.co/eI3Av61ggT">pic.twitter.com/eI3Av61ggT</a></p>— Warren de Guzman (@wddeguzman) <a href="https://twitter.com/wddeguzman/status/1303969538577436672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2020</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div><p>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.</p><p>The network’s bid for a fresh 25-year franchise was <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/10/20/house-committee-denies-abs-cbn-a-new-franchise">denied</a> by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises despite the position of several government agencies that the company has been compliant in various tax, trading and labor laws, among others.</p><p>The Supreme Court en banc on Aug. 25 also voted to <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/25/20/supreme-court-junks-abs-cbn-tro-petition-shutdown-franchise">dismiss</a> the plea of ABS-CBN Corp. to stop the closure order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in May. </p><p>All provisional authorities, certificates of public convenience granted to ABS-CBN were also &quot;revoked/cancelled,&quot; the NTC said.</p><p>Fitch Solutions earlier called the shutdown “highly politicized.” </p><p>Since the shutdown, thousands of employees have been retrenched and departments wiped out including its <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/31/20/off-the-air-abs-cbn-shuts-regional-stations">regional operations</a>. </p><blockquote class="embedly-card"><h4><a href="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/09/10/file-_ntc-adm-case-no-2020-008-decision-recall-of-frequency-dated-20200909.pdf?ext=.pdf">null</a></h4><p>null</p></blockquote><script async="" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js" charSet="UTF-8" type="text/javascript"></script><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/08/20/abs-cbn-shutdown-highly-politicized-will-weigh-on-foreign-investments-fitch-report">ABS-CBN shutdown &#x27;highly politicized,&#x27; to weigh on foreign investments: Fitch Solutions</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/05/15/20/abs-cbn-broadcast-shutdown-leaves-void-during-coronavirus-crisis">ABS-CBN broadcast shutdown leaves void during coronavirus crisis</a></li></ul>

<p>The National Telecommunications Commission on Thursday recalled the frequencies assigned to ABS-CBN, which it said was “warranted” in the absence of a legislative franchise.</p>

The National Telecommunications Commission on Thursday recalled the frequencies assigned to ABS-CBN, which it said was “warranted” in the absence of a legislative franchise.