"The closure of ABS-CBN was unfortunate, arbitrary, illegal, high-handed and fraught with terrifying implications. But the Lopezes had it coming."
The National Telecommunications Commission’s closure of ABS-CBN was unfortunate, arbitrary, illegal, high-handed and fraught with terrifying implications.
The closure was a frontal assault to the inviolate freedom of the press. It sent fearsome signals to other media establishments.
By now, the over 11,000 employees who lost their jobs could be seething in anger and resentment. The entertainment luminaries and their thousands of fans are up in arms against the incumbent administration.
Even if the NTC has supervisory or regulatory powers over the firm, its order was uncalled for and high-handed since there is no emergency or compelling situation which warranted the issuance of the cease and desist decree.
The NTC commissioners and the Solicitor General have illegally enhanced their powers and authority since only Congress has the power to grant a franchise to operate a broadcast media entity. They could be indicted and punished.
But what most people do not know or understand is that the owners of ABS-CBN, the Lopez family, had it coming; they invited the closure of their firm.
They had all the time to renew their franchise as early as the 15th and 16th Congress when Congress was still in friendly hands.
Publicly known as one of the most powerful political clans in the country long before President Ferdinand Marcos placed the country under martial law, they probably felt confident that no administration will persecute, harass or dare touch them since they now own the biggest broadcast media station, the Meralco and other business enterprises.
But they should have learned their lesson. When Marcos issued Proclamation 1081, most of the members of the family sought asylum abroad. President Marcos seized ABS-CBN, closed their newspaper, the Manila Chronicle, and imprisoned a member of the family. One of its most prominent member was Fernando Lopez who was the vice president of Marcos.
ABS-CBN also unwittingly revealed in its application for renewal that it has expanded its media reach and coverage by installing the latest advances in digital technology which were not in its original franchise. When the NTC commissioners called their attention to this obvious attempt to cover up a deliberate subterfuge, the owners played dumb and deaf.
But the NTC and the Solicitor General, even if they just wanted to play a joke or twist the tails of the Lopezes, would not have issued the cease and desist order without a naughty wink from the man upstairs.
President Duerte has publicly vowed to close the television station for its failure to air his political ad during the presidential campaign. The firm’s executives did apologize but no word has been received or heard that it has been accepted.
Even with the solicitous concerns of some of its officials and members, Congress might not renew the franchise of ABS-CBN.
The political repercussions for those who may dare to help the Lopezes recover their loss could be disastrous.
The Lopezes may decide to sell their interests and facilities contracts to another business conglomerate or a titan in the media industry. Whoever will buy the firm or establish a new one in its place, will most probably rehire the displaced employees of ABS-CBN.
Since politics is like a poker game, the Lopezes seem to have played their cards too close to their chests. When President Duterte made a big bet¸they thought he was just bluffing.
The President usually means what he says and says what he means.
From the moment he knew that he had won the presidential race, he made himself beyond the commerce of ordinary politicians and power brokers.
He deliberately did not attend his proclamation as the winner in the presidential derby. He stayed at home and made the well-wishers , the job seekers and influence peddlers, undertake a pilgrimage to Davao City to kiss the hand and whisper to the ears of the new political kingpin.
He promptly installed himself as the country’s undisputed leader. He saw to it that no one stands taller or very near to him. He made outrageous decisions but no one challenged them. He chose his enemies and made war on them under his own terms.
He jailed a senator and removed a chief justice.
He purposely disagrees even if it makes him disagreeable. And when he differs, he can be very difficult.
But he doesn’t care or give a damn what his critics or opponents think or say of him. He is unperturbed, confident that the people are behind him and approve of his acts and decisions.
The opinion survey firms are having difficulty catching up with his increasing approval and acceptance ratings.
The unprecedented closure of ABS-CBN has long been written on the wall. The Lopezes failed or did not want to read it.
What was written was the President’s grim reminder: “Don’t ever cross me.”
Mr. Ernesto G. Banawis is a student of history and government.