LOOK: Salvador, Padilla appear at Senate during ABS-CBN franchise hearing

MANILA, Philippines — Actors Philip Salvador and Robin Padilla, who are vocal supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte, appeared at the Senate Monday during the hearing on the franchise of ABS-CBN.

The two sat at the back of the session hall as executives of ABS-CBN answered questions from senators regarding the network’s franchise.

Photos by Cathy Miranda/INQUIRER.net

The Senate public services committee, led by Senator Grace Poe, tackled Monday the franchise of ABS-CBN, which the government’s top lawyer sought to nullify through a quo warranto petition filed before the Supreme Court.

Solicitor General Jose Calida filed the petition citing alleged “abusive practices” of the network.

ABS-CBN, however, has maintained it did not violate any law governing its franchise and that it had secured all necessary approvals for its business operations.

Malacañang, meanwhile, denied that the President had anything to do with the quo warranto petition filed by Calida. Hontiveros said the solicitor general may be “granting the wish” of the chief executive.

The President has repeatedly threatened to block the franchise renewal of the television giant after what he claimed was unfair treatment of him during the 2016 presidential campaign.