Senators slam NTC 'abuse' on TV, radio stations

Senate president Franklin Drilon on Thursday accused the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) of abusing its authority in imposing restrictions upon broadcast media. Drilon noted that the NTC utilized the resources of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the military when it dispatched troops to keep an eye on the premises of ABS-CBN and GMA, the country's two largest broadcast networks. "NTC abrogated unto itself the powers of the PNP and AFP. They used the PNP's power of the barrel of the gun. This has chilling effects in the industry," Drilon said. "Clearly they abused their authority," Drilon said during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights. NTC chairman Ronald Solis and Director Gen. Arturo Lomibao, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), informed the Senate that they will be unable to attend Thursday’s investigation into the government crackdown against seditious media groups. Solis invoked Executive Order (EO) 464, which prohibits senior government executives from attending the congressional investigations without prior approval from the President. Committee chairman Senator Joker Arroyo said his secretary was able to speak with Solis. Solis called Arroyo's office to say that he would submit a position paper on the matter and copies of the tapes carrying potentially seditious content. The NTC chairman reportedly insisted that his office had legal basis to "remind" media outfits about making public seditious statements. He earlier warned that alleged seditious broadcast groups face possible sanctions, including the revocation of licenses to operate. POWERLESS However, Arroyo said the NTC virtually violated press freedom when it tried to interfere and restrict contents of news to be aired. Following the declaration of emergency rule on February 24, the NTC said it adopted the ethical standards of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) as their guidelines for television and radio media. Arroyo noted that the NTC was only empowered to implement two functions: to allocate frequencies and to collect fees for the government. “Beyond that, it has no power whatsoever," he stressed, adding that the NTC cannot lay down the standards or guidelines for news coverage. Arroyo added that KBP should not be dealing with NTC “as if it is lord and king of broadcast media." Representatives from privately owned stations ABS-CBN, GMA and ABC were present during the proceedings. Jessica Soho, GMA vice president for news, maintained that their office maintains its own code of ethical standards. GMA Network is not a member of the KBP. Meanwhile, Lomibao informed senators that he had previously scheduled appointments in Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Zamboanga on March 9 and 10. He said he will check on the peace and order situation, as well as the effectiveness of police duties in these areas. Policemen raided and subsequently took over the offices and printing press of the Daily Tribune, hours after President Arroyo declared a state of national emergency. The Tribune challenged the legality of Proclamation 1017, which declared emergency rule, saying it stifled freedom of the press.-GMANews.TV