The Supreme Court has asked ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence to comment on the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General.
On Tuesday, February 11, Supreme Court spokesman Atty. Brian Hosaka said the high court has given the media company and its subsidiary 10 days to comment on the petition filed by the OSG.
OSG led by SolGen Jose Calida filed on Monday, February 10, a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN for having allegedly violated several provisions of their broadcast franchise.
According to Calida, ABS-CBN violated the constitutional provision on foreign ownership of media when it sold PDRs (Philippine Depository Receipts) to foreign investors. Calida also argued that the company overstepped its franchise when it launched the pay-per-view channel KBO on their TV Plus.
ABS-CBN on the other hand has condemned the latest move by the OSG.
In their official statement released Monday, February 10, the media giant reiterated they did not violate any law.
According to the network, the OSG’s case appears to be an effort to shut down ABS-CBN to the serious prejudice of millions of Filipinos who rely on their news, entertainment and public service.
“We reiterate that everything we do is in accordance with the law. We did not violate the law. This case appears to be an attempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN,” said ABS-CBN
The Kapamillya network also defended its KBO channel and its issuance of PDRs which enabled them to provide better service to its subscribers in the country and overseas.
“KBO remains one of the cheapest forms of entertainment that we can provide to the public. The capital we have raised from the PDRs has enabled us to provide services to nearly 90 percent of the Philippines and to our OFW’s all over the world. Our work with ABS-CBN Convergence supports the government policy of finding ways to bring down the cost of internet access.”
ABS-CBN also said that they will continue their commitment to serving Filipinos by delivering timely and relevant information.
“We remain committed to our mission to serve the Filipino people especially at this time when millions of Filipinos rely on our services in delivering information such as the 2019 NCoV ARD, the developments in the Middle East, and updates on Taal Volcano situation as they relate to our countrymen.”
