ABS-CBN’s Gabby Lopez was Filipino citizen at birth — Rodriguez

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Monday strongly defended ABS-CBN from allegations it violated the 1987 Constitution, saying its chairman emeritus Gabby Lopez was a Filipino citizen since birth, contrary to allegations he was an American when his family reclaimed ownership of the company after the 1986 Edsa Revolution.

He also said the broadcast giant’s issuance of Philippine depository receipts (PDRs) to foreigners did not violate the constitutional prohibition on foreign ownership or management of mass media companies, as these were duly approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Rodriguez sponsored his House Bill 6694 granting a new franchise to ABS-CBN during a joint hearing of the House committees on legislative franchises and good government.

“There are allegations that are constitutional and legal against ABS-CBN franchise. One is that Gabby Lopez is an American citizen, the other one is the allegation on the issuance of PDRs,” he said.

“Mr. Chair, as a lawyer, as former dean of the College of Law of San Sebastian, these allegations have no basis in law, and we should grant the franchise of ABS-CBN for the next 25 years,” Rodriguez said.

He noted that Lopez was born to Filipino parents “under the 1935 constitution, so automatically he was Filipino citizen,” under the law of ancestry or by blood.

But Lopez, who was born in the United States, was also an American citizen under the principle of law of the soil.

Thus, in order to get a passport, Lopez applied to be officially recognized as Filipino, Rodriguez said.

He said the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration “have both recognized the Philippine citizenship of Mr. Lopez from birth… Therefore, Lopez may own part of or participate in management of a mass media company.”

As for the issue on PDRs, Rodriguez argued that “are clearly constitutional and legal.”

“With that, I call on our distinguished colleagues to grant a 25-year franchise, so they will continue their operations for the next 25 years,” he said.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)