Lawmakers doubt ABS-CBN blocktime deal

SOME lawmakers doubted the blocktime agreement between ABS-CBN Corp. and Amcara Broadcasting Network Inc. that continued to air TVPlus programs despite the cease and desist order (CDO) issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

ABS-CBN earlier explained that the airing of TVPlus programs through Amcara’s Channel 43 was based on its blocktime agreement where ABS-CBN buys airtime. The NTC issued a CDO on June 30 to stop TVPlus broadcast through Channel 43.

After questioning Amcara Chairman Rodrigo Carandang and NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba on Thursday, Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla concluded that Amcara is a “dummy” of ABS-CBN.

Cordoba said NTC engineers found that Amcara used the transmitter and signal of ABSCBN. He added that based on NTC records and permits issued, Amcara did not have the necessary equipment for digital television.

Carandang admitted that Amcara had been utilizing ABS-CBN’s digital TV transmitters under a deed of assignment. However, he said the deed of assignment has yet to be submitted to the NTC.

Carandang, however, failed to clarify how Amcara acquired and paid for the 49 percent stake that ABS-CBN divested in January 2019.

“We have already elicited facts to show na itong (that) Amcara is a moro-moro po, sa nakikita ko (from what I see, is a fraud), that’s the conclusion I’m drawing from it,” Remulla said.

“And I would not waste my time asking more questions kasi malinaw na (it is clear that) the dummy relationship between ABS-CBN and Amcara is existing without any iota of doubt,” he added.

Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor pointed out that Amcara must use its own signal and tower that was assigned to it based on its franchise.

Deputy Speaker and Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta insisted that the setup between the two companies was a “usufruct” on the part of ABS-CBN instead of a blocktime deal that it claimed to have since it aired Studio 23 through Amcara.