NTC's Mum Order

Press release of the National Telecommunications Commission issued after Atty. Samuel Ong announced in a press conference last Friday that he had in his possession the "mother of all tapes":   

"In view of the unusual situation the country is in today, the National Telecommunications Commission calls for sobriety among the operators and management of all radio and television stations in the country and reminds them, especially all broadcasters, to be careful and circumspect in the handling of news reportage, coverages of current affairs and discussion of public issues, by strictly adhering to the pertinent laws of the country, the current program standards embodied in radio and television codes and the existing circulars of the NTC.

"It has come to the attention of the commission that certain personalities are in possession of alleged taped conversations, which they claim involve the President of the Philippines and a commissioner of the Comelec regarding their supposed violation of election laws. These personalities have admitted that the taped conversations are product of illegal wiretapping operations.

"Considering that these taped conversations have not been duly authenticated nor could it be said at this time that the tapes contain an accurate or truthful representation of what was recorded therein, it is the position of the commission that the continuous airing or broadcast of the said taped conversations by radio and television stations is a continuing violation of the anti-wiretapping law and the conditions of the provisional authority and/or certificate of authority issued to these radio and television stations.

"If it has been subsequently established that the said tapes are false and/or fraudulent after a prosecution or appropriate investigation, the concerned radio and television companies are hereby warned that their broadcast/airing of such false information and/or willful misrepresentation shall be just cause for the suspension, revocation and/or cancellation of the licenses or authorizations issued to the said companies.

"All radio broadcasting and television stations shall, during any broadcast or telecast, cut off from the air the speech, play, act or scene or other matters being broadcast and/or telecast if the tendency thereof is to disseminate false information or such other willful misrepresentation, or inciting, encouraging or assisting in subversive or treasonable acts."