1hr ago: NTC Deputy Cabarios replying to CNN anchor Pinky Webb on why NTC sought DOJ opinion (a first) : He said it was because the NTC IRRs disallowed assignment of analog frequencies to private entities as the State has already required the shift to digital TV (not clear whether DOJ mentioned analog channels, CNN show ran out of time)

1 hour ago: NTC Deputy Cabarios replying to CNN anchor Pinky Webb on why NTC sought DOJ opinion (a first) : He said it was because the NTC IRRs disallowed assignment of analog frequencies to private entities as the State has already required the shift to digital TV (not clear whether DOJ mentioned analog channels, CNN show ran out of time). Good interview by news anchor Pinky Webb.

The NTC IRRs are an implementation of Executive Order 546 and various laws on the telecom and broadcast industry requiring the shift from analog to digital. The NTC in — without legal basis — annexing analog Channel 2 to the digital grant, is violating its own IRRs and violating the state policy in shifting from analog to digital . In other words, the NTC violated its own rules in many ways in its unusual desire and haste to parcel out the frequencies two working days before the election ban. Its argument that the frequency was a precious resource that had to be used is not availing as the State has already determined based on facts that the shift to digital technology will create a more stable system as digital signals and circuits are more reliable, flexible, secure, and with less interference, thereby creating more valuable resources in the form of digital frequencies. Its sudden decision to annex analog Channel 2 to the digital grant is of dubious motives and therefore taints the entire process of parcelling away the frequencies formerly assigned to ABS-CBN, to Duterte campaign donors, allies, and advisers, practically on the eve of the election ban.