SC gives ABS-CBN 10 days to comment on Calida petition

February 11, 2020

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence Inc. to comment on the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida seeking to revoke the franchise of the media conglomerate within 10 days from receipt of notice.

SC spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka said the decision was made during its en banc session.

"The SC in today's en banc session, required the respondents to comment on said petition for quo warranto within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of notice,"Hosaka said, in a text message to reporters.

Hosaka said the order to comment also covers the Solicitor General's plea for the SC to issue a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction on the network's pay per view channel, ABS-CBN TV Plus KBO Channel.

"The comment likewise pertains to the prayer of the Solicitor General for the issuance of a temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction to enjoin ABS-CBN Corporation from further operating the KBO Channel and offering it to the public," Hosaka added.

In his petition for quo warranto filed on Monday, Calida asked the high court to forfeit the franchises of the media giant for violating its franchise and the constitution.

The Solicitor General accused the ABS-CBN of abusing its privilege granted by the government when it launched and operated the pay per view channel without  approval  from the National Telecommunications Commission. DMS