Airing a legal opinion, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan senatorial bet Larry Gadon sees no constitutional or legal violation committed in the assignment of television channels of ABS-CBN to the Advanced Media Broadcasting System, a broadcast firm owned by former Senate President Manny Villar.
“This is neither a violation of press freedom nor deprivation of press freedom,” said Gadon, a lawyer.
He stressed that operating a broadcast system in the country is covered by a legislative franchise and considered a privilege.
“This may only be granted to those who deserve it,” the controversial lawyer said.
The National Telecommunications Commission has granted Villar’s firm a provisioinal license to operate TV broadcast in Metro Manila and Mega Manila using the frequencies previously assigned to ABS-CBN Corporation.
It will be recalled that the Kapamilya network lost the TV frequency slots after the House of Representatives denied the 25-year legislative franchise extension sought by the Lopez-owned broadcast company.
Gadon explained that even without the television channels, ABS-CBN has continued to operate in different media.
“The constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of the press does not guarantee that you should have Channels 2 or 16. Marami ka naman pwede gamiting medium to broadcast. (You have a number of medium you can use),” he stressed.
Further, the KBL senatorial aspirant congratulated Villar for being awarded the frequencies.
“Labis akong nagagalak na nai-award ito kay Senator Manny Villar sapagkat hindi gagawin ni Senator Villar na gagamitin ang kanyang istasyon o kanyang network para manira ng ibang kandidato o manira ng pangalan ng ibang pamilya katulad ng ginawa sa mga Marcoses atsaka kay GMA (former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) (I am happy it as awarded to Senator Manny Villar because he will not allow the station or network to be used to criticize other candidates and destroy the name of families like what happened to the Marcoses and GMA),” said Gadon.