HUMINGI ng paumanhin ang National Telecommunications Commission sa Kamara de Representantes kaugnay ng pagtalikod nito sa kanilang sinabi na hahayaang mag-operate ang ABS-CBN habang dinidinig ng Kongreso ang renewal ng prangkisa nito.
Ang sulat ay tugon ng NTC sa show cause order na ipinadala ng Kamara de Representantes upang pagpaliwanagin ito sa pagpapalabas ng cease and desist order (CDO) na nagresulta sa paghinto ng operasyon ng Channel 2.
“We understand why the CDO took Congress by surprise, given the earlier information provided by NTC that would issue a Provisional Authority (PA) for ABS-CBN to operate while the application for the renewal of its franchise was being heard in Congress,” saad ng sulat.
Noong una ay inakala umano ng NTC na tama ang pagbibigay ng PA pero sa pagaaral na kanilang isinagawa matapos ang pagdinig ng Kamara at Senado ay napagtanto nila na mali ito at napagdesisyunan na isara ang ABS-CBN. Hindi umano nasabihan ng NTC ang Kongreso kaagad sa gagawin nitong paglalabas ng CDO.
“NTC could have thus exercised more openness and prudence under the circumstances and at the very least alerted Congress of NTC’s inability based on legal grounds to issue the PA as well as its subsequent decision to issue a CDO when the franchise of ABS-CBN expired.”
Ang sulat ay pirmado nina Gamaliel Cordona, commissioner, Edgardo Cabarios, deputy commissioner, Delilah deles, deputy commissioner at Atty. Ella Blanca Lopez, legal branch head.
“Nonetheless, we regret failing to notify you, the Honorable Speaker, and the House of Representatives, and in particular the Chairperson and members of the Committee on Legislative Franchise, of our decision to issue a CDO against ABS-CBN following the expiration of its franchise last 4 May 2020.”
“We are deeply saddened as well for the inconvenience we may have caused Congress. Again, we express our contriteness and sincere apologies for the ensuing confusion this has caused, not the least because we are in the midst of a crisis,” saad ng sulat.