Takeover of ABS-CBN assets legally impossible, says Gatchalian

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday said the proposal to take over the assets of ABS-CBN Corporation would not prosper as it is legally impossible.

In a virtual interview, the vice chair of the Senate committee of public services said the denial of legislative franchise may have taken away from the media giant the privilege of using the frequency, but not its right to retain ownership of assets.

"Yung frequency bumalik sa gobyerno. Puwedeng gamitin ng gobyerno 'yun kung gusto nilang gamitin pero hindi mo magagamit ang frequency kung wala kang equipment which are the assets invested by the ABS-CBN Corporation," Gatchalian said.

He, however, added that even the government use of the ABS-CBN's previous frequency could be technically impossible.

"Without the permission of the ABS-CBN Corporation, hindi magagamit 'yung equipment. Therefore, hindi magagamit 'yung frequency. The frequency is very specific to the equipment, hindi ka puwedeng bumili ka lang ng transmitter magagamit mo na ang frequency, very specific 'yan," he said.

Sagip party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta proposed in a Zoom meeting with other House members last Friday that ABS-CBN be evicted from its headquarters due to issues regarding its title.

House Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte also proposed that the government temporarily use ABS-CBN's former television and radio frequencies

Gatchalian, who was supposed to lead the Senate hearings on ABS-CBN franchise had it hurdled the Lower House, said the congressmen's discussion seems futile.

"You can discuss all you want but if legally it's impossible, wala rin mangyayari. Ang assets of ABS-CBN is still with ABS-CBN and no one can use that without the permission of ABS-CBN," he said.

Senate President Sotto III likewise said ABS-CBN's ownership of its properties is protected by the Constitution.

Senator Richard Gordon believes their counterparts in the Lower House were "out of line" for discussing such matters after the ABS-CBN shutdown.

After the House committee junked its franchise bid, ABS-CBN said it will operate in other businesses that do not require a legislative franchise, such as digital and cable businesses. —LDF, GMA News