LOOK: Celebs decry NTC’s order to shut down ABS-CBN operations

MANILA, Philippines—Following the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) order to shut down operations of ABS-CBN amid the COVID-19 pandemic, several of the country’s biggest stars have rallied in defense of the media giant.

The NTC on Tuesday afternoon ordered a Cease and Desist Order against ABS-CBN after its legislative franchise expired on Monday, May 4. According to the order, ABS-CBN’s television and radio broadcasting stations should stop operations because it “no longer has a valid and subsisting congressional franchise as required by Act No. 3846.”

Kapamilya star Angel Locsin, who has led some of the country’s biggest relief efforts during the pandemic, is calling for consideration and press freedom following the NTC’s decision.

“Para sa kapwa. Sa panahon na kailangan ng hanap buhay ng mga tao. Let’s be considerate and ask ourselves kung makakatulong ba ang mga desisyon natin sa lalo na sa panahong ito.

“To ABS-CBN, isang karangalan po na naging bahagi at nakasama ko po kayo. Mahal ko kayo. Para sa #MalayangPamamahayag #NoToABSCBNShutdown,” Locsin posted on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zXmzQFpeb/

Megastar Sharon Cuneta likewise lamented the decision, noting that several thousands of employees will be losing their jobs.

“Iniisip at inaalala naming artists ng aming tahanan, ang ABS-CBN, ang ilampung-libong empleyadong lumaki nang kasama ko, at ang mga batang bagong empleyado pa lamang ng aming istasyon…You are all in my heart and prayers. We love our HOME. And some people have made us HOMELESS now…May God bless us all,” Cuneta said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zaRmsncIB/

Aiko Melendez also condemned NTC’s decision for being issued in the middle of a health crisis, and called on the Congress, whose members have recently shown support to allow ABS-CBN to continue its operations, to do something about the situation.

“Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na magbibigay ako ng opinion ko about sa closure ng ABS-CBN. Napaka mali ng timing ng closure kung kelan may pandemic crisis tayo, kailangan naten ng mga mas karagdagang impormasyon. Aminin naten sa mga probinsya ang ABS-CBN ang malakas ang signal, so paano na? Naawa ako sa mga mawawalan ng trabaho,” she stressed.

“11k workers ang mawawalan ng trabaho. Ang dami din ‘di sinunod ng NTC sa sinabi nila during the hearing sabi magbibigay ng temporary permit to operate. Sana man lang binigyan man lang ng oras ang ABS-CBN makapaghanda man lang. Eto immediate and effective dapat ngayon. Under oath din nung nag commit kayo na mabibigyan ng operation permit ang ABS. So ano na ba ang nangyayari? Asan na ang karapatan ng malayang pamamahayag? Mga katanungan na tumatakbo sa utak ko. Sana ang NTC ‘di nangako para wala din umasa. At sana din nagawan ng Kongreso ang pwede nilang gawin,” she added.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zY9xujRKB/

Gary Valenciano meanwhile assured fans of the network: “On or off the air…in front or behind the camera…with or without a microphone…our hearts as one, will always stand in the service of the Filipino…worldwide.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zWObzlJTE/

Several other celebrities also took to the internet to protest against the decision: Bela Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, Bea Alonzo, Denise Laurel, KC Concepcion, Amy Perez, Nikki Valdez, Cherry Pie Picache, Agot Isidro, Robi Domingo, Maymay Entrata, Juan Miguel Severo, Joshua Garcia and Leah Navarro, among many others.

Kathryrn Bernardo

Isang mahigpit na yakap sa lahat ng kapamilya natin 💙 pic.twitter.com/ceiCyrhQYH

— KATH 🐘 (@bernardokath) May 5, 2020

Bela Padilla

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zdmYlH2K6/

Denise Laurel

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zbcRtBQmh/

Bea Alonzo

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zYeWKFIWY/

KC Concepcion

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zbrYmg-IB/

Regine Velasquez

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zZ-grgBQ7/

Amy Perez

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zQwj_HV2y/

Nikki Valdez

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zZTEFHVO7/

Cherry Pie Picache

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zZbB9DTRe/

Agot Isidro

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zYHD2hFgl/?igshid=1bapkgugq7qbq

Robi Domingo

No To Corruption.

— Robi Domingo (@robertmarion) May 5, 2020

Juan Miguel Severo

https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1257605224434241536

Joshua Garcia

Jusko!! Dinadagdagan ang problema!

— Joshua Garcia (@iamjoshuagarcia) May 5, 2020

Leah Navarro

The closure of ABS-CBN operations isn’t just about losing your favorite TV shows. This is about Duterte’s govt going back on its word, and the muzzling of a free press. #DefendPressFreedom #NoToABSCBNShutDown https://t.co/ltjgk22Yef

— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) May 5, 2020

Solicitor General Jose Calida, who earlier filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN in a move to have the network’s franchise revoked, on Sunday warned the NTC against granting provisional authority to ABS-CBN.