CBCP Releases Statement on ABS-CBN Shutdown

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) released a statement on Thursday, May 7 in connection with the shutdown of broadcasting network ABS-CBN. 

Romulo G. Valles, D.D., the Archbishop of Davao and CBCP President, signed the statement.

The statement read: "My first thought in the currently much talked-about closure of ABS-CBN is our people—our people who are in these extremely difficult and trying times because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Because of the closure of this broadcast station, our people have lost one of our country’s major sources of information which is crucial to our people in this present situation. If I may add, they also have lost a source of entertainment and diversion during these days of confinement in their homes for more than two months already due to the lockdown measures.

"These days our people truly need more than ever broadcast services that would bring them the much-needed information in this time of crisis.

"With this consideration, I sincerely hope and pray that our government, especially our Congress, will work together to resolve the issue so that ABS-CBN may be allowed to resume its broadcast the soonest to the benefit of our people who really need as many as possible sources of good and reliable information in this time of suffering and distress."

ABS-CBN's legislative license expired on May 4. On May 5, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease-and-desist order against the network, prohibiting ABS-CBN to continue broadcast operations effective immediately. The network's television and radio operations went off-air—after their nightly newscast TV Patrol aired—in compliance to the order. ABS-CBN is given 10 days to respond on why the frequencies assigned to the network should not be recalled.

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