Duterte no hand on SolGen plan to ask SC to revoke ABS-CBN franchise, says Palace

January 16, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte was not behind the plan of Solicitor General Jose Calida to file a petition to revoke ABS-CBN franchise, Malacanang said on Thursday.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the SolGen files the necessary petition if it sees the need even without the order of the Palace.

"You must remember that the job of the SolGen is to file the appropriate petitions when he sees or feels that there’s a transgression of franchises or any law for that matter," he said.

A newspaper report said that the OSG will file a petition for quo warranto against ABS-CBN for alleged violations of its legislative franchise.

Since he assumed the presidency, Duterte has threatened to oppose the renewal of the franchise of the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN network. The franchise will expire in March this year.

Duterte has accused the television station of "swindling" him for not refunding his payment for his campaign advertisement in 2016 presidential elections even if it was not aired.

Recently, he said that it would be better for the Lopez family to just sell its stake over the company. Celerina Monte/DMS