Statement of Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on NTC cease-and-desist order of ABS-CBN
NTC order is grave abuse of govt power, ABS-CBN should bring matter before Supreme Court: Pangilinan

"We condemn this arbitrary exercise of governmental power.

Ito'y kalokohan. Sa gitna ng pandemya ito inaatupag ng gobyerno. 2.2 milyong Pilipino na ang nawalan ng trabaho bunga ng COVIC pandemic at quarantine. Ang krisis ng kalusugan ay krisis na sa paggawa at pangkabuhayan ng mga kapamilya, kaibigan, kapitbahay, at kakilala. Stopping ABS-CBN's operation would cut the income of another 11,000 employees. Wala na bang puso ang pamahalaan?

Pero binuksan ang mga POGO. Para lang ba sa dayuhan ang puso ng pamahalaan?

Ito'y panggigipit sa malayang pamamahayag. Isa sa pinakamalaking media outfit na nagbibigay ng impormasyon at balita ang nais nilang isara habang kailangang-kailangan ngayon ng mamamayan ang totoong balita at impormasyon sa panahon ng kalamidad. Issuing a cease and desist order to ABS CBN cripples our ability to disseminate information that can save lives.

This is grave abuse of discretion. The justice secretary has said provisional authority can be issued by the NTC. The NTC action is highly irregular as it has issued hundreds of provisional authorities to other broadcasting companies pending the approval by Congress of their franchise. Singling out ABS-CBN is grave abusive of discretion.

ABS-CBN should bring the matter before the Supreme Court."