One of the largest Media network ABS-CBN went off-air yesterday night, May 5, after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order to stop its television and radio operations.

The network signed off at 7:52 pm, following the airing of its primetime newscast TV Patrol.

But before the media network’s shut down, here’s a timelineof events on how the ABS-CBN lead to its closure.

May 5, 2016

During the 2016 elections campaign period, ABS-CBN aired an advertisement showing clips and compilation of Duterte cursing, emitting a controversial rape remark, and saying he is ready to kill. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV paid for the ad, whereas in ABS-CBN’s defense, they said that it was “duty-bound to air a legitimate ad.”

June 11, 2016

ABS-CBN says they applied for early renewal in 2014 through the normal legislative process. However, due to time restrictions, ABS-CBN withdraws, and decided to seek renewal in the 17th Congress. “Claims that the franchise will not be extended are purely speculative,” ABS-CBN said in a statement.

March 30, 2017

Duterte calls ABS-CBN and newspaper Philippine Daily Inquirer “bastos (rude)” for allegedly reporting unfair news about him and writing in favor of the interests of the owners. He says that one day, “karma will come” to them.

He says the Inquirer is “bullshit” and that ABS-CBN “published trash.” Duterte calls the Prietos and Lopezes, the respective owners of the companies, “oligarchs and elites.”

In response, the Inquirer says it has “upheld the highest standards of excellence in journalism” since its founding in 1985.

April 27, 2017

Duterte accuses ABS-CBN of “swindling,” claiming that the network did not show his political ads during the 201s6 campaign although they were already paid for.

These comments come just a few days after Duterte renewed the franchise of GMA Network, ABS-CBN’s rival, for another 25 years.

Meanwhile, HB 4349 remains at the committee level. Duterte tells Congress, “No need to renew it.”

May 19, 2017

Duterte says he will file charges of “multiple syndicated estafa” against ABS-CBN, in a speech at an event launch of housing designs for the military and police.

“Kawalang hiya ninyo, kapal ng mukha ninyo, putang-ina ninyo, leche kayo (You have no shame, your faces are too thick, you sons of bitches),” he says, addressing ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III.

"Gabby Lopez, I paid ABS-CBN P2.8 million....You accepted my money, you never bothered to show my propaganda (political advertisements). After the elections, you didn't return the money," he adds.

He says other candidates such as his running mate Alan Peter Cayetano and vice presidential candidate Francis Escudero experienced the same.

August 3, 2018

The President repeats his threat to block ABS-CBN’s franchise in a speech at the inauguration of a drug rehabilitation facility in Bukidnon.

He challenges ABS-CBN executives to let him slap them if records show he has less than P40 million in his bank accounts.

June 12, 2019

The Philippine Star reports that the House of Representatives froze HB 4349. A lawmaker, who requested anonymity, says no action on any bill seeking to renew the ABS-CBN franchise would be taken as long as the network still has issues with the President.

ABS-CBN later says it is unable to comment on or clarify this report.

July 1, 2019

HB 4349 lapses after 17th Congress adjourns, but its same sponsor Representative Micaela Violago refiles the first bill in the 18th Congress to extend ABS-CBN’s franchise.

October 29, 2019

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano announces they are set to deliberate on the franchise renewal. At this point, there are at least 5 bills filed that seek to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.

December 3, 2019

In a speech before new Malacañang officials, Duterte says he is still angry with ABS-CBN, telling the network, “If you expect that (the franchise) will be renewed, I’m sorry. I will see to it that you’re out.”

December 30, 2019

Duterte tells ABS-CBN it would be better to “just sell” the network, remarking that Congress renewing the franchise is unlikely.

January 2, 2020

House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chair Franz Alvarez promises his committee would deliberate on the franchise renewal bills.

He tells ABS-CBN that securing a franchise from Congress is “not a right, but a privilege.”

February 10, 2020

Solicitor General Jose Calida files a quo warranto petition with the Supreme Court against ABS-CBN. In the "Very Urgent Omnibus Motion," Calida asks the High Court to void the franchises of the network giant and ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc "as they are unlawfully exercising their legislative franchises."

February 24, 2020

The Senate holds a hearing on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal to inquire on the company’s compliance with its franchise terms. Senators maintain that the hearing ahead of the House inquiry does not encroach on the power of the lower chamber.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) says that since RA 7966 only became effective 15 days after its publication on April 19, 1995, the actual expiration date of the franchise is on May 4 and not March 30.

Duterte’s former aide Senator Bong Go says that the President was “hurt” as ABS-CBN chose to air “black propaganda” instead of “legitimate” ads paid for by the Duterte campaign. “Kung masama ka sa Pangulo, mas maging masama siya sa ‘yo (If you are mean to the President, he will be meaner to you),” he says.

ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak apologizes to Duterte. He clarifies the swindling allegations, saying that the network was able to air all of Duterte’s national ads that amounted to P117 million. Katigbak says they were not able to air all of his local ads, as local ads have shorter airtime allocation. They had refunded P4 million of the already-paid-for ads, but the remaining P2.6 million was delayed.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) all clear ABS-CBN of any penalties with taxes, labor practices, and its Kapamilya Box Office pay-per-view service.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not give comment on whether there are violations in ABS-CBN’s Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs).

Katigbak insists that the network complied with election laws when they aired Trillanes’ anti-Duterte ad. Trillanes thinks his ad is not the reason behind the President’s beef with the network, since GMA Network aired the same ad “yet Duterte never complained about it.”

ABS-CBN urges the Supreme Court to reject Calida’s request for a gag order.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra tells the Senate that Congress may authorize the NTC to give ABS-CBN the provisional permit to continue operating after the lapse of its franchise. Guevarra later says he will not give a legal opinion.

Cayetano tells reporters that a notice from the House committee on legislative franchises should be "more than sufficient" to allow the network to keep broadcasting. He says the House is in talks with the NTC to grant ABS-CBN provisional authority.

Cayetano says that if the House wanted to shut ABS-CBN down, they would have held one hearing and denied the franchise renewal. They also could have directly ordered NTC to pull the plug, he says.

February 26, 2020

Duterte tells reporters he accepts ABS-CBN's February 24 apology, but that the fate of the franchise would still lie with Congress, particularly the House of Representatives. He says he will "not interfere."

March 4, 2020

The Senate passes a resolution expressing its sense that ABS-CBN, including its subsidiaries, should continue operations as it waits for its franchise renewal.

March 10, 2020

The House holds its first hearing on the bills seeking to renew the franchise. The NTC says it would "most likely" issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN which would allow the network to continue operating pending its renewal.

Cayetano rejects the proposal of the House adopting a counterpart resolution to the Senate's. He says the NTC issuance of a provisional authority is enough to let ABS-CBN stay on air.

March 11, 2020

The NTC says it will allow ABS-CBN to operate after May 4 until the end of the 18th Congress unless there is "restraint" from the courts.

May 1, 2020

Cayetano says the House has "no intention" to order the network's closure or "take advantage" of the coronavirus pandemic to shut it down.

May 3, 2020

A day before the franchise expires, Calida warns the NTC against granting provisional authority to ABS-CBN, which would allow it to operate while its franchise renewal is pending in Congress. Calida insists that only Congress can grant franchises to public utilities, including broadcasting companies.

May 4, 2020

ABS-CBN’s franchise expires. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque says Malacañang will defer to whatever decision the NTC will make on whether ABS-CBN may still be able to operate.

Guevarra counters Calida, saying the DOJ stands by its position that "there is sufficient equitable basis to allow broadcast entities to continue operating while the bills for the renewal of their franchise remain pending with Congress."

May 5, 2020

The NTC issues a cease and desist order against ABS-CBN. It is ordered to halt its television and radio operations. ABS-CBN has 10 days from the receipt of the order to respond why the frequencies assigned to it should not be recalled.

The DOJ says the order is "immediately executory." When asked if this means ABS-CBN must stop broadcasting now, Guevarra says, "I cannot answer for ABS-CBN... It's up to ABS-CBN if it will comply. The NTC will have to enforce it if ABS-CBN does not voluntarily comply."

In a tweet, the ABS-CBN News Channel or ANC, the network's cable news channel, says: "ANC will remain on air as NTC's order does not cover cable news channel."

A little over 3 hours after the cease and desist order was made known to the public, the network signs off after airing its primetime newscast TV Patrol.

Meanwhile, many believed that the ABS-CBN closure in the midst of pandemic is completely ill-timed or insensitiveto the needs of the public.

Are you in favour of ABS-CBN shutdown? Let us know your thoughts.

Source: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/249550-timeline-duterte-against-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal