‘PART OF PLOT’ | Granting of frequencies to Duterte allies ‘not surprising’ anymore, says veteran journalist

January 28, 2022 , 11:31 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(January 28, 2022) – It was no longer surprising that the close allies of President Rodrigo Duterte were able to receive the frequencies previously assigned to ABS-CBN, a veteran journalist said on Thursday.

Vergel Santos, a trustee of media watchdog Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, posited that the recent developments are “part of a plot” to benefit the personalities linked to Duterte.

“I look at all this as a running plot, a scheme that began when Duterte started going after ABS-CBN and threatened to close it. Doon nag-umpisa ‘yan,” said Santos on One News’ The Chiefs.

CMFR trustee scores Duterte, allies in awarding of ABS-CBN’s frequencies

#TheChiefs | Veteran journalist and Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility trustee Vergel Santos slams the awarding of ABS-CBN’s frequencies to networks backed by personalities linked to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Posted by ONE News on Thursday, January 27, 2022

Duterte has lambasted ABS-CBN numerous times as he vowed to block its bid for franchise renewal. It became true when a panel at the House of Representatives, which is composed by a supermajority supporting him, voted to junk the network’s franchise application in July 2020.

On Wednesday, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) confirmed that it awarded two former frequencies of ABS-CBN to Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. owned by business tycoon Manny Villar. It was granted the digital Channel 16 as well as the analog Channel 2.

Sonshine Media Network International, owned by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, was assigned to operate Channel 43 previously used for ABS-CBN’s TVPlus Channels. Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, which owns DWIZ 882 AM, was granted Channel 23 where ABS-CBN Sports + Action previously aired.

Villar and Quiboloy are close allies of Duterte and reportedly donated huge sums during his campaign in 2016.

“I have no doubt that the grant came as anything other than a favor knowing very well that the Villars have pledged their support for Duterte all through his term … Quiboloy, for his part, the relationship even goes much further, as far back as the mayoral days of Duterte in Davao City,” said Santos.

Various organizations slammed the NTC for awarding ABS-CBN’s former frequencies to Duterte’s rich backers. Others pointed out that this reveals the “cronyism” under the administration of the tough-talking leader, who has repeatedly claimed that he wants to destroy the oligarchs.

According to Forbes, Villar is the richest person in the Philippines with a net worth of USD7.3 billion (P374 billion). Quiboloy’s net worth remains unclear, although he is a self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God.”

Atty. Marichu Lambino, a media law and ethics expert, said NTC’s decision can be legally challenged over the “defective” procedures.

Santos said this did not come as a shock for him given the instances of unfair rule under Duterte’s term, citing the imprisonment of Sen. Leila De Lima and the removal of former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

“Kapag gustong brasuhin ‘yan, babrasuhin ‘yan,” said Santos. “‘Di ka magtataka kung puwede nilang diretsuhin ‘yan in their own ways. Mula roon nakita mo talaga na ang binabanatan, press freedom.”

(PM)

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