ABS-CBN shutdown

stirs int’l rights

group
SOLGEN CALIDA URGED TO STOP ACTING AS DUTERTE ATTACK DOG

By: Gabriel Pabico Lalu - Reporter / @GabrielLaluINQ

INQUIRER.net / 08:09 PM May 05, 2020

MANILA, Philippines – An international rights group has chided the

current administration for allowing the shutdown of media network ABS-
CBN, asking Solicitor General Jose Calida to stop acting like President
Rodrigo Duterte’s attack dog.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement on Tuesday, shortly after

news broke out that ABS-CBN was ordered to stop television and radio
broadcasting by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
through a cease and desist order.
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HRW Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson noted that NTC’s order came
on the heels of warnings from Solicitor General Jose Calida, that the
commission cannot grant provisional authorities contrary to the
request of the House of Representatives.
“The order was handed down two days after the government’s lawyer,
Solicitor General Jose Calida, warned the NTC against giving the network
provisional authority to operate when its congressional franchise expired
yesterday, May 4. Human Rights Watch views this turn of events with
deep concern, coming as it did on the heels of efforts by the Duterte
administration to intimidate and muzzle the Philippine press,” Robertson
said in a statement.
“The NTC should rescind this order. The Solicitor General should stop
acting like Duterte’s attack dog. The Philippine Congress, which earlier
agreed to consider an extension of the franchise, should assert its
mandate and authority over matters like this,” he added.

Calida has previously filed a quo warranto petition against the network

last February, for supposedly using a corporate veil to hide foreign
ownership and foreign investment.  NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo
Cabarios did not explicitly mention it, but he said that the cease and
desist order stemmed from questions about its franchise.
According to HRW, the cease and desist order’s timing was also off as the
country is currently fighting the COVID-19 pandemic — of which ABS-
CBN has provided vital information through a wide, nationwide
coverage.

“This also comes at the worst possible time, when the COVID-19 pandemic
is ravaging countries like the Philippines and when accurate and truthful
information is needed crucially,” Robertson explained.

“The Filipino people should reject this despotic move to harass and
silence a media organization known not only for its reach but also for its
competence and dedication to deliver the news,” he noted.

ABS-CBN’s shutdown came after its franchise expired on May 4, as

Congress failed to renew it before going into a break for the Lenten
Season.

However, since the COVID-19 pandemic forced people to stay at home,

and as committee hearings over video conferencing may not be stable,
the House of Representatives leadership asked NTC to grant a provisional
franchise to ensure the network’s operation while issues are being ironed
out.
Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1270263/abs-cbn-shutdown-stirs-intl-group-
says-calida-should-stop-acting-as-dutertes-dog#ixzz6La4lVOtT
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