ABS-CBN's board of directors stated on Saturday, March 28, 2026, that the media company is not involved in the current dispute within the Lopez family.
The Lopez family, through its Lopez Holdings Corporation, is the controlling shareholder of ABS-CBN.
Martin “Mark” López currently serves as chairman of ABS-CBN.
"We wish to state that ABS-CBN is not a party to this case. We, however, wish to address two claims attributed to court records," the statement reads.
"First, on the claim of 'unresolved audit findings.' There were no audit findings. There is nothing to resolve. This claim is unfounded."
"Second, on the claim that the proposed capital infusion could go to 'payouts for certain executives.'
"No such payouts have been made. No such payouts are planned. This claim is equally baseless."
FIGHTING FOR CONTINUED EXISTENCE
The statement aims to distance the network from its founders’ legal issues and to address any public misconceptions about its executives.
"Since losing its franchise in 2020, the company has faced challenges unlike any in its history. ABS-CBN has not stopped fighting to ensure its continued existence. It has not stopped serving," the statement says.
ABS-CBN's franchise renewal application was denied on July 10, 2020, after members of the House of Representatives voted 70–11.
It was a controversial and polarizing issue, with supporters of the Duterte administration believing that the network committed violations that breached its franchise privileges, justifying Congress's decision to shut down its operations.
In contrast, others, including industry players, viewed the company as a victim of the power game played by then-President Rodrigo Duterte, in his personal vendetta against the network for a perceived slight during the 2016 elections, and in a twin move to curtail press freedom and intimidate media.
Read: President Duterte admits using "presidential powers" vs ABS-CBN
The network—known by its tagline, the Kapamilya Network—pivoted to online and cable platforms and partnered with former rival networks to air its programs and maintain its presence in the media and entertainment industry.
The ABS-CBN statement further reads: "The last thing it needs is for its people to be misrepresented in a dispute it is not involved in.
"Serving the Filipino is not without its challenges. But it is also a mission worth standing up for and ensuring that it remains untarnished by allegations.
"We, the members of the Board of Directors, continue to support ABS-CBN management in its mission to serve the Filipino people.
"In the Service of the Filipino — today, tomorrow, always."
The statement was signed by ABS-CBN's board of directors, namely, Carlo Katigbak, Rafael Lopez, Honorio Poblador IV, Emmanuel De Dios, and Randolf David.
LOPEZ FAMILY FEUD
Members of the Lopez family are currently embroiled in a legal dispute after Federico "Piki" Lopez sued his cousins, Rafael Lopez, Miguel Ernesto Lopez, Martin Lopez, Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez, and Maria Eugenia Brown.
A complaint filed by Piki at the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court (RTC) on March 11, 2026, claimed that his ouster as president of Lopez Inc. was illegal.
The ouster happened during a board meeting on February 27, 2026.
He was replaced by Rafael as the company's new president, a decision made by the board members.
Piki seeks reinstatement as president of the family's holding company and asks the court to invalidate the board's decision to remove and replace him.
On March 16, 2026, the court sided with Piki and issued a writ of preliminary injunction, prohibiting the Lopez Inc. Board from acting on its resolution ousting Piki and appointing his successor.
The court order effectively barred Rafael from acting as company president or exercising its powers.
According to reports, Piki’s ouster as company president is linked to his refusal to inject PHP2 billion in reserve funds from Lopez Inc. to support ABS-CBN’s finances.
His refusal, along with his brother Benjamin's, to allocate the reserve funds stemmed from their observation that there are "unresolved audit findings" at the media company.
Both were also said to be concerned that the additional funds might be used to hand out bonuses to executives rather than to improve the company's financial health.