ABS-CBN Shutdown – Vows Comeback
The ABS-CBN shutdown was aired though TV and radio broadcast around 7:50 pm last Tuesday evening of May 5, 2020. With the shutdown of the franchise, about 11,000 workers will be left without jobs. Carlo Katigbak, president and CEO of ABS-CBN asks for prayers and help to get back on air.
ABS-CBN Rally – “Defend Press Freedom”
Stars and company workers attended a prayer rally for ABS-CBN franchise renewal. The 25-years operating franchise had to “immediately” stop operations even though the National Telecommunication Commission sympathizes with the company whose franchise expired May 4 and a renewal bid remains pending in Congress.
Despite the plea of many workers, stars, producers and Filipinos the National Telecommunication Commission must follow the law. The NTC issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against ABS-CBN’s television and radio broadcasts, one day after the company’s 25-year operating franchise expired. On May 5, 2020 at 7:52 pm, the last of ABS-CBN was seen and heard.
This is ABS-CBN Corporation Channel 2,
In The Service of the Filipino.
Now signing off.”
It was the first time ABS-CBN was forced by the government to shut down since it was padlocked in September 1972 when dictator Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law. A National Telecommunications Commission official said Tuesday that the agency is just “following the law” in ordering ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. to “immediately” stop operations.
A section of the law states that “No person, firm, company, association, or corporation shall construct, install, establish, or operate a radio transmitting station, or a radio receiving station used for commercial purposes, or a radio broadcasting station, without having first obtained a franchise therefor from the Congress of the Philippines.”
CEO Vows Comeback
Before officially signing off, the network executive thanks the public and it’s 11,000 employees for the years of service. He said the network “has done everything and has not violated any laws,” in having its franchise renewed and Congress had acknowledged its importance.
At the start of the enhanced community quarantine, many of you continued to go to work, to maintain our broadcast,” Carlo Katigbak, president and CEO of ABS-CBN, told ABS-CBN employees.
Help us continue to pray, so that ABS-CBN can go back on air, and continue to serve,” he said.
