Katigbak on network's ownership: 'The Lopez family never gave up ownership of ABS-CBN'

Photo from Politiko and Manila Bulletin

ABS CBN on Monday fights back against the accusations that it violated the Constitution and the law.

When Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta’s questioned the ownership of the media giant, from being government-owned to Lopez clan after the EDSA revolution in 1986, ABS CBN President Karlo Katigbak debunked the claim.

Katigbak said the Lopez family never lost the ownership of ABS CBN, even during the martial law, when the government shut it down.

“The Lopez family never gave up ownership of ABS-CBN. It was never sold nor was ownership ever transferred,” he said

“Ang pagbabalik ng ABS-CBN sa pamilyang Lopez ay ayon sa batas, at may basbas ng tatlong ahensya ng goberyno: ang PCGG, ang Office of the President, at ang Korte Suprema,” Katigbak said

“Ang PCGG mismo ang umaksyon na ibalik sa mga may-ari ang Channel 2 noong June 1986. Noong January 1987, nagkaroon ng agreement ang gobyerno at ABS-CBN na isaayos ang pagbalik ng mga iba pang facilities ng ABS-CBN na patuloy pang ginagamit ng goberyno. Itong agreement ay may basbas ng Korte Suprema noong 1989,” the ABS CBN president explained

As for the citizenship issue of ABS CBN owner Gabby Lopez, Katigbak said that according to 1983 Constitution, Lopez is considered a natural-born citizen, having born to Filipino parents in 1952 in the United States.

While holding an American passport, Katigbak stressed that it is a natural consequence as Lopez was born in the US.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speakers Loren Legarda and Vilma Santos, along with Reps. Sol Aragones (NPC, Laguna) and Joy Tambunting (PDP-Laban, Paranaque City), endorsed the grant of new legislative franchise for the media giant.

The lady lawmakers also openly acknowledge having worked previously in the Kapamilya network.