ABS-CBN's Gabby Lopez a Filipino 'from birth': president | ABS-CBN
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ABS-CBN's Gabby Lopez a Filipino 'from birth': president
ABS-CBN's Gabby Lopez a Filipino 'from birth': president
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 01, 2020 10:35 AM PHT
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Updated Jun 01, 2020 01:32 PM PHT
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MANILA — ABS-CBN Corp. chairman emeritus Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III is a Filipino "from birth," the network's chief executive officer said Monday, after a lawmaker revived questions on the former's citizenship.
MANILA — ABS-CBN Corp. chairman emeritus Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III is a Filipino "from birth," the network's chief executive officer said Monday, after a lawmaker revived questions on the former's citizenship.
ABS-CBN, which regulators forced off air last May 5 due to its expired license, earlier denied reports claiming that Lopez is a US citizen who only secured Filipino citizenship in 2002. The Philippine Constitution prohibits foreigners from owning media companies.
ABS-CBN, which regulators forced off air last May 5 due to its expired license, earlier denied reports claiming that Lopez is a US citizen who only secured Filipino citizenship in 2002. The Philippine Constitution prohibits foreigners from owning media companies.
Lopez, born in 1952, is covered by the 1935 Constitution, which states that those who fathers are citizens of the Philippines are Filipinos from birth, said ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak.
Lopez, born in 1952, is covered by the 1935 Constitution, which states that those who fathers are citizens of the Philippines are Filipinos from birth, said ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak.
"Ang tatay at nanay niya (Lopez) ay parehong Pilipino kaya from birth, automatic na siya'y isang Pilipino rin," Katigbak said in a congressional hearing on the proposed franchise for he network.
"Ang tatay at nanay niya (Lopez) ay parehong Pilipino kaya from birth, automatic na siya'y isang Pilipino rin," Katigbak said in a congressional hearing on the proposed franchise for he network.
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(His father and mother are both Filipinos so from birth, it's automatic that he is a Filipino, too.)
(His father and mother are both Filipinos so from birth, it's automatic that he is a Filipino, too.)
A Bureau of Immigration order in 2001 recognized that Lopez, born in Boston, US, is "a citizen of the Philippines," he said.
A Bureau of Immigration order in 2001 recognized that Lopez, born in Boston, US, is "a citizen of the Philippines," he said.
Lopez has a US passport because of his birthplace, which does not negate his Filipino citizenship, said Katigbak.
Lopez has a US passport because of his birthplace, which does not negate his Filipino citizenship, said Katigbak.
"Sa batas ng Amerika, kahit hindi Amerikano ang magulang mo, kapag ipinanganak ka sa US, automatic po na may hawak ka rin na American citizenship. Pero ang pagiging American citizen niya at ang paghawak niya ng US passport ay hindi nangangahulugang hindi rin siya isang Pilipino," he said.
"Sa batas ng Amerika, kahit hindi Amerikano ang magulang mo, kapag ipinanganak ka sa US, automatic po na may hawak ka rin na American citizenship. Pero ang pagiging American citizen niya at ang paghawak niya ng US passport ay hindi nangangahulugang hindi rin siya isang Pilipino," he said.
(Under American law, even if your parents are not Americans, if you are born in the US, you will also automatically have American citizenship. But Lopez's American citizenship and US passport does not mean that he is not a Filipino, too.)
(Under American law, even if your parents are not Americans, if you are born in the US, you will also automatically have American citizenship. But Lopez's American citizenship and US passport does not mean that he is not a Filipino, too.)
Lopez should attend congressional hearings "as a matter of courtesy" to the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta said earlier in the hearing.
Lopez should attend congressional hearings "as a matter of courtesy" to the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta said earlier in the hearing.
"There are questions that are personal to him. I don't think the lawyers present today will be able to answer all these questions," he told colleagues.
"There are questions that are personal to him. I don't think the lawyers present today will be able to answer all these questions," he told colleagues.
"The issue of citizenship is a serious matter. I hope the representatives of ABS-CBN will find in their heart the importance of being able to motivate him, convince him to be present," he added.
"The issue of citizenship is a serious matter. I hope the representatives of ABS-CBN will find in their heart the importance of being able to motivate him, convince him to be present," he added.
The House committee on legislative franchises will "send an invitation [to Lopez] for our next hearing," said its chairman, Palawan First District Rep. Franz Alvarez.
The House committee on legislative franchises will "send an invitation [to Lopez] for our next hearing," said its chairman, Palawan First District Rep. Franz Alvarez.
Marcoleta during House deliberations last week had revived many of the issues against ABS-CBN, from alleged tax evasion to unfair labor practice and foreign ownership violations.
Marcoleta during House deliberations last week had revived many of the issues against ABS-CBN, from alleged tax evasion to unfair labor practice and foreign ownership violations.
ABS-CBN, which has been losing millions since going off air on May 5, has however been cleared of wrongdoing by authorities.
ABS-CBN, which has been losing millions since going off air on May 5, has however been cleared of wrongdoing by authorities.
A Bureau of Internal Revenue official in February said the company had no pending tax liability, and had a lone case pending before the Court of Tax Appeals.
A Bureau of Internal Revenue official in February said the company had no pending tax liability, and had a lone case pending before the Court of Tax Appeals.
ABS-CBN's issuance of Philippine Depository Receipts complied with existing laws, said its President and CEO Carlo Katigbak at a Senate hearing the same month.
ABS-CBN's issuance of Philippine Depository Receipts complied with existing laws, said its President and CEO Carlo Katigbak at a Senate hearing the same month.
The network's pay-per-view feature is also authorized under its franchise, said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.
The network's pay-per-view feature is also authorized under its franchise, said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.
Monday's hearing comes in the final week before Congress goes on a break until before the end of July.
Monday's hearing comes in the final week before Congress goes on a break until before the end of July.
If the country's largest media and entertainment company remained off the air, Katigbak earlier said the company could soon release a list of those who could lose their jobs.
If the country's largest media and entertainment company remained off the air, Katigbak earlier said the company could soon release a list of those who could lose their jobs.
Watch a livestreaming of the proceedings here:
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
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US measles cases jump from 14 to 93 in 1 week as Texas outbreak grows
US measles cases jump from 14 to 93 in 1 week as Texas outbreak grows
Reuters
Published Feb 26, 2025 08:20 AM PHT
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Watch more on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.
Watch more on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday (February 21) reported that measles cases so far this year had jumped to 93 from 14 a week ago, mainly driven by an outbreak in Texas.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday (February 21) reported that measles cases so far this year had jumped to 93 from 14 a week ago, mainly driven by an outbreak in Texas.
An outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, where cases have now risen to 57 from 22 on February 11, has raised concerns over its spread to other parts of the state. Signs pointing to measles testing have been installed outside the memorial hospital in Seminole. Texas reported 90 cases overall as of Friday.
An outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, where cases have now risen to 57 from 22 on February 11, has raised concerns over its spread to other parts of the state. Signs pointing to measles testing have been installed outside the memorial hospital in Seminole. Texas reported 90 cases overall as of Friday.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reiterated from last week that more cases of the highly contagious disease were likely to surface due to an outbreak in Gaines County.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reiterated from last week that more cases of the highly contagious disease were likely to surface due to an outbreak in Gaines County.
The CDC said cases were reported from Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island and Texas.
The CDC said cases were reported from Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island and Texas.
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It added that 95% of the cases were in individuals who either had not been vaccinated or had an unknown status, with 4% of the total patients receiving one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, and none getting the two doses the agency recommends.
It added that 95% of the cases were in individuals who either had not been vaccinated or had an unknown status, with 4% of the total patients receiving one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, and none getting the two doses the agency recommends.
Out of all the cases in the country, 28 were in children below the age of two, and 48 were in individuals between five and 19 years old.
Out of all the cases in the country, 28 were in children below the age of two, and 48 were in individuals between five and 19 years old.
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning there was no continuous transmission of the disease for a year. The virus can spread via travelers from countries where measles is common.
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning there was no continuous transmission of the disease for a year. The virus can spread via travelers from countries where measles is common.
The CDC said there have been three outbreaks reported in 2025. For comparison, there were 16 outbreaks during 2024, with a total 285 cases reported.
The CDC said there have been three outbreaks reported in 2025. For comparison, there were 16 outbreaks during 2024, with a total 285 cases reported.
In recent years, federal health officials have attributed some outbreaks to parents refusing to vaccinate children.
In recent years, federal health officials have attributed some outbreaks to parents refusing to vaccinate children.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a vaccine critic, has been confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, overcoming resistance from the medical establishment and some members of Congress.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a vaccine critic, has been confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, overcoming resistance from the medical establishment and some members of Congress.
Kennedy, however, has pledged to protect existing vaccination programs.
Kennedy, however, has pledged to protect existing vaccination programs.
(Production: Sebastian Rocandio, Liliana Salgado)
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