Naigawad na ang mga dating TV at radio frequencies ng ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation sa ibang media company.
Sa inilabas na pahayag ng National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ngayong araw, January 25, 2022, kinumpirma nitong naipagkaloob na ang Channel 2 frequency sa Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS) na pagmamay-ari ng bilyonaryo at dating senador na si Manny Villar.
Si Villar, 72, ang pangalawa sa listahan ng pinakamayang tao sa Pilipinas, ayon sa Forbes List 2021. Mayroon siyang net worth na $67.5 billion.
Bahagi ng pahayag ng NTC: “After the technical evaluation of AMBS’ request for a simulcast channel, Channel 2 (the paired analog channel in Mega Manila of digital channel 16) was temporarily assigned to AMBS.
“This temporary assignment is for simulcast purposes only, and only until the analog shut-off scheduled in 2023.
“The temporary assignment was granted to ensure service to both analog and digital TV signal users as the country transitions to full digital TV.”
Noong 2020, binawi ng NTC ang TV at radio frequencies ng ABS-CBN at DZMM, mga media company na pagmamay-ari ng ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, matapos patayin ng Kongreso ang kanilang franchise application.
Kabilang sa 70 kongresista na bumoto para ibasura sa franchise application ng ABS-CBN ay si Camille Villar, representative ng Las Piñas City at anak ni Manny Villar.
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Ayon pa sa NTC, ang AMBS ang unang nag-apply sa kanilang mabigyan ng frequency mula pa noong taong 2006.
“AMBS was the first applicant for an authority to install, operate and maintain a digital TV in Metro Manila as filed on 05 October 2006, under Case No. 2006-100.
"AMBS has been waiting for an available digital frequency since 2006 after undergoing a quasi-judicial process which include notice to all interested/affected parties and hearing.”
Namaalam sa ere ang ABS-CBN noong gabi ng May 5, 2020 base na rin sa order ng NTC na itigil ng media giant ang lahat ng kanilang broadcast operations.
Kilala ang pamilya Villar bilang kaalyado ng administrasyong Duterte.
Ang asawa ni Manny na si Senator Cynthia Villar ay kilala bilang pro-administration.
Gaya ng nabanggit, ang anak nilang si Camille ang isa sa mga kongresistang bumoto para ibasura ang franchise application ng ABS-CBN.
Ang isa pa nilang anak na si Mark Villar ay naging secretary ng Public Works and Highways (2016-2021) sa administrayong Duterte. Tumatakbo siya ngayon bilang senador sa ilalim ng Marcos-Duterte ticket.