Lopez family never lost ownership of ABS-CBN despite martial law — counsel

MANILA, Philippines — The Lopez family never lost ownership of ABS-CBN even though it was shut down in 1972 due to the declaration of martial law by former president Ferdinand Marcos, the firm’s counsel insisted Monday.

During a House joint panel hearing, ABS-CBN counsel Arecio Rendor Jr. said what was taken from the Lopezes during the martial law was “mere possession” of and the “right to use” the firm’s real estate and broadcast equipment, and not the ownership.

Among the documents that could prove this is the title issued to the firm in 1967, Rendor added.

“Hindi nawalay ang pag-aari ng Lopez family sa ABS-CBN at mga broadcast facilities and equipment, even from the time Martial Law was declared until today,” he said.

(The ownership of ABS-CBN and its broadcast facilities was never lost from the Lopez family, even from the time martial law was declared until today.)

The network only resumed operations in 1986, several months after the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Rendor said the Lopezes allowed the government under former President Cory Aquino to use the network’s facilities and broadcast equipment while the crisis is still ongoing.

It was only the arbitration in January 1987 with the government where properties and equipment of ABS-CBN were returned to the Lopez family.

The network’s president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak earlier said the return of ABS-CBN to the Lopez family had the “blessing” of three government agencies—the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), the Office of the President, and the Supreme Court.

The House committees on legislative franchises and good governance and accountability are currently on the sixth installation of the inquiry into the franchise of ABS-CBN.

The hearing seeks to focus on whether or not the acquisition of ABS-CBN by the Lopez family after the EDSA Revolution was pursuant to the Constitution as well as whether or not the network’s application violates the 50-year constitutional limitation for a franchise.