Duterte’s Billionaire Ally Manuel Villar Takes Over TV Channels from ABS-CBN
- Duterte’s office backs decision to award channels to Villar
- ABS-CBN was seen as critical of Duterte in its reporting
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A company owned by Philippine billionaire Manuel Villar’s family won two channels previously assigned to ABS-CBN Corp., a former media giant that had come under fire by President Rodrigo Duterte in the past.
The National Telecommunications Commission said Advanced Media Broadcasting System, Inc. now has the rights to use Channel 2, which is the analog pair of digital Channel 16. Channel 2 was a primary news source for Filipinos in remote areas.