It is not politics, if not issues about the franchise and frequency, that is the reason for the closure of Zagitsit News FM in Legazpi City, Albay, said this Thursday by Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr.
“As to the allegations that ako yung mismo yung nagpasara, rekomendasyon, wala hong katotohanan d’yan. Ang tinutukoy ng NTC (National Telecomunications Commission), violation ng prangkisa at paggamit ng ilegal na frequency na hindi naman pagmamay-ari o hindi inisyu ng NTC at ng Kongreso kay Mr. Jun Alegre at sa Zagitsit FM,” Garbin said in an interview with ABS-CBN TeleRadyo.
It will be recalled that Alegre lamented the closure of the NTC to the station, which he said was politically tainted. Alegre will run as a board member of Albay’s second district in the upcoming elections. On the other hand, Garbin will run for mayor, where he will face the current mayor’s wife, who is allegedly an ally of Alegre.
“Patuloy niyang sinasabi pulitika, pulitika. Ang isyu lang naman ho sagutin nila. May prangkisa ba sila at meron silang frequency? At ‘yun ay established facts na wala silang ganun,” said Garbin, who is a member of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
He said Zagitsit News FM continues to use illegal frequencies.
No politics in Zagitsit News FM closure: Garbin
The lawmaker added that, based on records, the station’s business permit and mayor’s permit were named after Alegre.
“Lahat nakapangalan sa kanya, yung Zagitsit FM. So we can call Jun Alegre as a congenital liar,” said Garbin.
In earlier statements, Alegre allegedly wondered why this only happened now when Zagitsit News FM had been operating for six years.
“Yung contention nila na if they are able to use it for the past 6 years, sabi nga ng NTC, it does not ripen it to a legal right. Pasalamat nga sila nakapag-operate sila ng 6 years. And for the past 6 years, ngayon lang sila na check na ilegal pala yung kanilang operasyon,” said Garbin.
On the issue of other stations that Alegre said were allegedly violating the law, Garbin said the NTC, as the regulatory agency, has the responsibility to inspect them.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.