Statement on the cease and desist order issued by the NTC to ABS-CBN

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Millions of Filipinos will lose their source of news and entertainment when ABS-CBN is ordered to go off-air on TV and radio tonight (5 May 2020) when people need crucial and timely information as the nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is in compliance with the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) today that prohibits ABS-CBN from continuing its broadcast operations effective immediately.

Despite Senate Resolution No. 40, the House of Representatives’ committee on legislative franchises’ letter, the guidance of the Department of Justice, and the sworn statement of NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, the NTC did not grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate while its franchise renewal remains pending in Congress.

In an interview with DZMM last week, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano even gave an assurance that there is no move to shut down the network.

ABS-CBN has been providing comprehensive news coverage on the public health crisis and working with local governments and the private sector in providing food and basic goods for those in need through its “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” campaign. To date, it has delivered over P300 million worth of goods for the benefit of over 600,000 families affected by the enhanced community quarantine.

We trust that the government will decide on our franchise with the best interest of the Filipino people in mind, recognizing ABS-CBN’s role and efforts in providing the latest news and information during these challenging times.

ABS-CBN remains committed to being in the service of the Filipino and we will find ways to continue providing meaningful service to them.

Small-town Locals of Butuan Build “Court of Inspiration”

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Aray Natin, Galing Natin Butuan! 

Driven by the desire to provide their community with its first real basketball court, locals from Barangay Ampayon in Butuan are brought together to build their own “Court of Inspiration” under the Aray Natin, Galing Natin campaign- a collaborative effort between small-town locals and Alaxan FR to construct these symbols of community and turn them into something that moves people to aim for greatness.

Alaxan FR Team with Barangay Captain Samuel Allan Amante

“Maganda rin ‘to lalo na sa kabataan, para malayo sila sa mga bisyo” (This is also good for the youth, that they may be steered away from vices) says Bgy. Captain Samuel Allan Amante, who led his people into volunteering. Drug use is currently high among teens in Bgy. Ampayon, and the local government see the project as a means of sending the youth into the right direction.

Barangay Ampayon is just one of the many places that Alaxan FR is eyeing for the construction of Courts of Inspiration. For Visayas, the first basketball court was unveiled recently in Iloilo. Soon to rise are courts in Bacolod, Dumaguete, Tacloban, and Cebu. In Mindanao, construction will begin shortly in the communities of Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Saranggani.

Through these projects, the campaign aims to give members of communities in different parts of our country pride in having personally built something that doesn’t just hone their skills, but builds their character as well.

“I was impressed at people’s willingness to jump at the opportunity to serve their community at our project in Butuan and I believe I’d witness the same level of enthusiasm in the communities where succeeding Courts of Inspiration are to be built,” says Kristine Martinez, Alaxan FR Product Director.