Palace on ABS-CBN’s return: Zoe will be regulated

Malacañang seemed to have no problem with ABS-CBN’s return to free-to-air television, but said it will be Zoe Broadcasting Network Inc., who will be regulated because it is a franchise.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after it was announced Tuesday that A2Z, the renamed Zoe Channel 11, will host ABS-CBN shows starting next weekend.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Roque said that Malacañang does not have a specific reaction to ABS-CBN’s return, almost five months after it was ordered to close its operations due to an expired franchise.

“We don’t welcome it or … we have no reaction because they are a content provider,” he told “The Source” on Wednesday.

“For all intents and purposes, it is Zoe who will be subject to regulation because ZOE is the franchise holder,” he added.

According to Roque, ABS-CBN’s blocktime deal with Zoe is a “different line of business.”

“What has happened is that ABS-CBN has become a content provider. That is a different line of business that does not require a franchise, “he said.

“I guess fans of ‘Ang Probinsiyano’ and the other soap operas can look forward to it on Zoe TV,” he added.

ABS-CBN went off the air in May of this year following a cease and desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission due to its expired franchise.

In July, lawmakers rejected ABS-CBN’s request for a new broadcast franchise, shutting down a significant portion of the nation’s largest media network and causing many of its workers to downsize.

Despite his known grudge against the broadcast giant, President Duterte denied having participated in the shutdown of ABS-CBN.

The new A2Z will be broadcast on Channel 11 on free TV via analog broadcast in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. It will also be available on many cable and satellite television channels.

Channel 11 was previously used by GMA for QTV-11 from 2005 to 2011 and GMA News TV from 2011 to 2019 before the latter was moved to channel 27.

Zoe Broadcasting Network Inc. was founded by House Vice Speaker Bro. Eddie Villanueva.

According to Roque, he is not sure whether the return of ABS-CBN was discussed when President Duterte met with Villanueva last week.

“I wouldn’t know. I was not at the meeting, ”he said.

“I receive orders on what to say from the president himself, which saves me from having to go to all the meetings. Otherwise, it would have no life, “he added.