Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo, who was among the 70 lawmakers who voted against ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal in 2020, has expressed willingness to support the network’s comeback—provided it complies with all necessary requirements.
In an interview with Rose Garcia of Abante-Tonite, Servo admitted feeling remorseful about his vote but insisted that the denial was based on the company’s alleged shortcomings at the time.
“Siyempre, ako naman, nagtrabaho lang naman ako at sabi ko nga, kung bibigyan ng pagkakataon na may manalo na suportahan, hihikayatin ko. Kasi, hindi naman porke’t hindi sila nabigyan, e, hindi na sila mabibigyan. Meron lang sigurong nakitang kakulangan do’n sa requirements na mabilis lang na-tackle.”
Servo, who served as Third District Representative of Manila from 2016 to 2021, is currently running for re-election as vice mayor in the May 2025 elections. However, surveys indicate he is trailing behind other candidates.
Despite his previous stance on ABS-CBN, Servo revealed that his own household continues to support the network.
“Yung nanay naman niya, GMA. Ang nanay ko rin, GMA, pero ang asawa ko naman, ABS. Kaya sa bahay, kung ano ang pinapanood, ABS. Siyempre, nalungkot ako na isa ko sa naging dahilan. Pero kung mabibigyan ng pagkakataon, nais ko rin bumawi.”
During the 2020 franchise hearings, Servo was serving as Minority Floor Leader in the House of Representatives. Now, as discussions about ABS-CBN’s potential franchise renewal gain traction, his stance appears to be shifting.
On January 7, 2025, Albay Representative Joey Salceda filed House Bill No. 11252, which seeks to grant ABS-CBN a new legislative franchise. The bill emphasizes the network’s compliance with legal and tax obligations and highlights its role in public service.
During the 2020 franchise hearings, both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) confirmed that ABS-CBN had no violations related to foreign ownership or tax liabilities. However, the network was still denied its franchise renewal by Congress, leading to the shutdown of its free-to-air television and radio operations.
The closure of ABS-CBN became one of the most controversial political issues during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, with critics labeling it an attack on press freedom.
Since losing its franchise, ABS-CBN has reinvented itself as a content production powerhouse, forming partnerships with various networks and streaming platforms. Notably, it has collaborated with GMA Network, allowing its programs to air on its former competitor’s channels.
With political allies now reconsidering their positions, the fate of ABS-CBN’s return to free TV remains uncertain. However, if more lawmakers like Servo express support, the network may soon have a stronger chance of regaining its franchise.
