NTC- Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo clarifies that the President Rodrigo Duterte has nothing to do with the decision of the National Telecommunications Commissions to stop the ABS-CBN to broadcast.

Recalling, Panelo aired his injustice against the ABS-CBN TV network followed with an apology that came from the ABS-CBN executives and that was accepted by Duterte.

But that didn’t stop groups and individuals to pursue their demand to stop the broadcast of the TV network. That includes Solicitor General Jose Calida a Filipino lawyer and current Solicitor General of the Philippines.

As the franchise of ABS-CBN expired on May 4, Calida tell NTC against the provisional authority that it granted to the network. A day after that, NTC issued a cease and desist order against the company.

In a interview on ANC, Panelo stated that the President is not behind the decision that NTC did regarding the matter with ABS-CBN franchise.

When asked if Duterte wants the TV network to return on air, Panelo said, “First of all, I cannot read the mind of the President. Second, this has nothing to do with whether he wants it or not.”

He also stressed out that the matter focuses on the law. “In the last few months I believe Congress did something about it, but the process was not completed. Why blame the President for the fault of Congress?” he added.

Panelo also said that the personal score on the issue was already settled when the President accepted the apology of ABS-CBN. However, when asked if it matters to Duterte that the biggest media company closed under his watch, Panelo stated, “Under his watch, but not his fault.”

According to Panelo, if the bill approving the franchise of ABS-CBN will reach Duterte’s desk, the latter gives approval to laws in accordance with the Constitution. He also said that what happened not to the TV network is not a repetition of history.

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