Guevarra: Filing of quo warranto petition vs ABS-CBN separate from franchise renewal process

(Eagle News)–The filing of the quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN is independent of the legislative process of the renewal of its franchise.

This is according to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who issued the statement on Monday, Feb. 10.

In filing the petition, the Office of the Solicitor General had said ABS-CBN Corp. and ABS-CBN Convergence violated the terms of the franchise when they did not seek the necessary permits to operate, and  the constitutional restriction on foreign ownership of media.

ABS-CBN, whose franchise is set to expire in March, has denied violating the law.

The Palace has denied President Rodrigo Duterte had any hand in the filing of the quo warranto petition.

Duterte had been very vocal against ABS-CBN, calling it partial and biased.