Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 24) — A lawmaker on Wednesday questioned the authority of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to impose restrictions on broadcast franchise holders.
At the House hearing on the investment deal between ABS-CBN and TV5, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba stressed that the agency can impose additional obligations to a franchise holder.
“It can add obligations especially since that is a privilege granted by the State. In this case, the parties are franchise holders and they get permits from the national government for the use of frequencies which are owned by the national government,” Cordoba said.
But Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman argued that the NTC has no power to amend or impose new restrictions on a legislative franchise.
“This is an abrogation of the legislative power and we cannot allow the NTC to make a mockery of the franchises issued by Congress. I suppose you should be able to review the extent of your authority,” Lagman told Cordoba.
The NTC earlier issued a memorandum order prohibiting broadcast franchise holders from entering into agreements with those who have outstanding obligations to the national and local governments. It also issued a separate memo that restricts block time agreements.
ABS-CBN earlier announced it is acquiring more than a third of TV5. But the two networks have agreed to pause the completion of the deal to address issues raised by some lawmakers and the NTC.
