GMA-7 and Solar Sports to File Legal Case Against Manny Pacquiao; Pacquiao Answers Back

Filipino boxing champ Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao announces his decision to tie-up with ABS-CBN and it gives Pacman's Kapamilya supporters a good reason to be jolly but not for GMA-7 and Solar sports.

Solar Sports expressed its disappointment with Pacman's decision to cut short their contract, claiming that the contract with the boxing champ is still valid.

Solar's legal counsel Atty. Enrique dela Cruz Jr added, "Naniniwala po ang Solar na ang kontrata nila kay Manny Pacquiao ay valid at binding pa. Hindi ito maaaring labagin ni Manny Pacquiao at ng ABS-CBN."

Solar has yet to hear from Pacman concerning this issue though they revealed that Pacman has sent them a letter stating that he wanted to end his contract with them.

For Solar, they are ready to file cases against anyone—be it Pacman or ABS-CBN—who would violate the contract's agreement.

Likewise, GMA-7 also released a statement early this afternoon to show their disappointment with the boxing champ's decision.

GMA network’s Corporate Communications department through Legal Affairs Vice President Dick Perez, to Pacman.

The letter reads in full:

"Dear Mr. Pacquiao,

"We refer to your televised announcement that you have decided to partner with ABS-CBN and to the report that your future fights, including your match with Hatton, will now be aired in ABS-CBN.

"Please be advised that the Agreement between you and GMA still subsists and provides as follows:

"2.2 TALENT shall not appear on any television program, show, promotion or event of any broadcast media entity other than GMA and its subsidiaries and affiliates without the written consent of GMA."

"Your unilateral action to give ABS-CBN the right to air the Pacquiao-Hatton fight violates the above-referred provision to the Agreement.

"We demand that you strictly comply with the terms of our Agreement and that you recall immediately your grant to ABS-CBN of the airing right to the fight, otherwise, much to our regret, we shall take such actions as are necessary in order to protect our interests.

"We request your response to this letter within seven (7) days from your receipt hereof. If you fail to respond within the period given, we shall assume that you have not recalled your grant of airing right to ABS-CBN."

However, Manny Pacquiao said he is not affected by the possibility of him being sued after he chose ABS-CBN to be his new media partner.

"Maluwag ang loob ko. May mga tao naman ako na nag-aasikaso ng mga bagay na yan.

"Ako ang ginagawa ko ay mag-concentrate at focus sa fight ko at sana panoorin niyo fight ko at ipagdasal ako. Mapapanood niyo ang fight sa ABS-CBN versus Ricky Hatton.

"Laban ko, laban ng lahat. Maraming salamat sa inyo," said Pacquiao.

GMA-7 Opposes ABS-CBN’s Digital TV Application

According to a report by Lenie Lectura of Business Mirror, GMA is blocking the bid of ABS-CBN to offer digital television service to consumers.

[GMA Network Inc. is blocking the bid of rival ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. to offer digital television service to consumers.

In a filing with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), GMA said ABS-CBN’s application to convert its existing analog frequency channel to digital is really a move to operate a new service and not just a conversion. “Unfortunately, ABS-CBN misleads the affected parties by designating its petition as one for migration and conversion to digital service,” said GMA.

ABS-CBN is currently applying for a new frequency, preferably within the 500 to 506-megahertz range, which is not yet assignable for broadcast use. This frequency bandwidth is presently within the band for trunked radio service.

In its application, ABS-CBN said it intends to provide digital TV-terrestrial (DT-T) service in the said frequency, as maybe available and assignable by the NTC, or preferably Channel 19. The proposed conversion, it added, will initially be a migration to operate analog and digital services concurrently until such time that the NTC mandates termination of all analog TV broadcast transmissions.

GMA opined that ABS-CBN is actually applying for a new frequency, which it can use to operate another station simultaneous with its Studio 23 analog broadcast service. No migration or conversion to digital service will actually take place as ABS-CBN’s real intention is to operate DWAC-TC Channel 23 as its analog service and, at the same time, operate a digital TV station using a different channel until the mandatory analog switch-off date, GMA pointed out.

“The instant petition should be denied on the obvious ground that no migration or conversion to digital service is contemplated herein. ABS-CBN is not applying for a migration to conversion to a digital service but for an entirely new digital broadcast service, in addition to its analog service utilizing Channel 23,” said GMA.

Furthermore, the frequency bandwidth being eyed by ABS-CBN has not yet been reallocated by the NTC for broadcast use.

“What ABS-CBN is in effect doing in this application is to stake a claim on a frequency not presently within the domain of broadcast TV spectrum, and at the same time, preserve its privilege over Channel 23. This should not be countenanced by the NTC,” said GMA.

The broadcast company also has a pending application with the NTC to transform its Channel 27 UHF (ultra-high frequency) TV station to digital broadcast service.

“With the advances in technology, particularly the introduction of digital technology in the broadcasting service, it is imperative and in the interest of public service that GMA must take measures in order to meet the growing public demand for and address the technological challenge of digital TV broadcast service,” said GMA in its application.

The TV network said it is financially capable to adopt a digital terrestrial TV broadcast platform, and to acquire, operate and maintain the necessary equipment for use in the broadcast of quality TV programs. It presented to the NTC a proof showing its financial capacity. GMA’s capital was recently increased to P6.5 billion from P5 billion.

“The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved recently the increase of authorized capital stock from P5 billion divided into 3.5 billion common shares with the par value of P1 each and 7.5 billion preferred shares with the par value of P0.20 each to P6.5 billion divided into 5 billion common shares with the par value of P1 each and 7.5 billion preferred shares with the par value of P0.20 each,” said GMA.]