Push Admin

Lopez family still owned ABS-CBN despite Marcos takeover: DOJ, PCGG

Article (news)

Christian V. Esguerra, ABS-CBN News

MANILA--The Lopez family did not lose ownership of ABS-CBN even if it was seized by the Philippine government under martial law, officials from the justice department and the President Commission on Good Government (PCGG) said Monday.&quot;The takeover was limited only to the possession and operation. It did not include ownership,&quot; Justice Assistant Secretary Nicholas Ty told a joint House committee hearing ABS-CBN&#x27;s application for a new operating franchise.Responding to questions by Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato, PCGG Commissioner John Agbayani agreed that the government&#x27;s takeover of the network in 1972 was valid only for a &quot;specific duration&quot; that time.&quot;Yes, your honor, ABS-CBN did not lose ownership,&quot; Agbayani said.Sato cited <a href="https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1972/09/22/letter-of-instruction-no-1-s-1972/">Letter of Instruction No. 1</a> issued by Ferdinand Marcos, ordering the military to &quot;take over and control or cause the taking over and control&quot; of media organisations such as ABS-CBN.But the order, dated Sept. 22, 1972, limited the takeover &quot;for the duration of the present national emergency or until otherwise ordered&quot; by Marcos or his designated representative. &quot;So when the time comes, it is the responsibility of the government to turn it over to the rightful owners?&quot; Sato asked, to which Agbayani replied: &quot;You&#x27;re correct.&quot;Congressmen questioned ABS-CBN lawyers and executives for about 8 hours over how the Lopezes regained control and possession of the network and its facilities following the fall of Marcos in 1986.The company detailed the process of arbitration with the government after its assets were gradually turned over to the family.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/15/20/return-of-abs-cbn-to-lopez-family-in-1986-legal-approved-by-sc-solons-told">Return of ABS-CBN to Lopez family in 1986 legal, approved by SC, solons told</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/15/20/no-constitutional-issue-over-abs-cbn-return-to-lopez-family-solons">No constitutional issue over ABS-CBN return to Lopez family: solons</a></li></ul>

The Lopez family did not lose ownership of ABS-CBN even if it was seized by the Philippine government under martial law, officials from the justice department and the PCGG said Monday.

The Lopez family did not lose ownership of ABS-CBN even if it was seized by the Philippine government under martial law, officials from the justice department and the PCGG said Monday.

Lopez family still owned ABS-CBN despite Marcos takeover: DOJ, PCGG

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

Lopez family still owned ABS-CBN despite Marcos takeover: DOJ, PCGG

Christian V. Esguerra,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 15, 2020 10:38 PM PHT

Read More:

ABS-CBN franchise

franchise hearing

franchise renewal

President Commission on Good Government

Department of Justice

martial law

Ferdinand Marcos

Josephine Ramirez-Sato

Letter of Instruction No. 1

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.