Lopezes are fine even without ABS-CBN’ – Defensor

The Lopezes are fine and still in good shape even after ABS-CBN Corp.’s failure to obtain a new congressional franchise, Rep. Michael Defensor (Anakalusugan) said today.

“Assuming the Lopezes divested from ABS-CBN, they still effectively control at least four other publicly traded corporations with a combined market value of roughly P136 billion as of July 17,” Defensor said.

Defensor was referring to First Gen Corp., First Philippine Holdings Corp., Lopez Holdings Corp., and Rockwell Land Corp., all of which are listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange.

“We’re actually talking here of severely depressed stock market prices due to the economic fallout from the pandemic. A year ago, the four listed firms, without counting ABS-CBN, were worth over P800 billion,” Defensor said in a press statement.

“Let’s say the Lopezes beneficially owned just a little over 50 percent of the common shares of the four listed firms since they are in control, they still have leftover assets valued at more than P400 billion a year ago and currently worth P68 billion,” Defensor said.

“We also understand they still have a residual four percent equity stake in Manila Electric Co. that is easily worth another P11.5 billion at market prices,” Defensor said.

Defensor also mentioned the Lopez family’s privately held interests in cable TV and Internet services as well as filmmaking for theatrical exhibition, among others.
“Considering their great wealth, the Lopezes can easily opt to convey their common shares in ABS-CBN to its employees, who can then report a change of control and seek a new broadcasting franchise from Congress,” Defensor said.

The Lopezes and the employees of ABS-CBN should consider engaging the services of investment bankers who might be willing to arrange the share transfer, Defensor said.

ABS-CBN’s current market value of P12.7 billion implies that only some P6.4-billion worth of common shares would have to be assigned to effect a change of control, according to Defensor.