Calida asks SC to gag ABS-CBN from commenting on quo warrantuo petition

February 18, 2020

The Supreme Court has been asked to issue a gag order against ABS-CBN Corp. about the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General seeking to forfeit the legislative franchises of ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc.

In a very urgent motion Tuesday, Solicitor General Jose Calida said ABS-CBN and its subsidiary allegedly “engaged in propaganda” after it issued a statement, violating the sub judice rule.

The sub judice rule stops parties from commenting on pending cases to avoid  prejudging.

In its en banc session, the SC ordered ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiary to comment on the motion within five days from receipt of notice, SC spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka said.

Calida said there were four instances ABS-CBN allegedly violated the sub judice rule.

Calida also took issue with "commentaries" on ABS-CBN news website "which tend to prejudge the case and influence the Supreme Court" and "statements given by ABS-CBN, its artists, and other personalities to various media outfits" regarding the petition.

"Any grievances must be ventilated through the proper petitions, motions, or other pleadings before the courts. Our courts must be able to conduct their business in an orderly manner free from outside interference and influence," the Solicitor General said. DMS