After the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal and the recall of their frequencies, the broadcast giant made its way back to the headlines this morning. In a press release, it was made public that Eugenio ‘Gabby’ Lopez III has tendered his resignation as chairperson emeritus of the company and director of other Lopez-owned firms for “personal reasons.”
BREAKING: Citing “personal reasons,” Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez resigns as ABS-CBN Corporation’s chairman emeritus and director. | @DYGalvezINQ pic.twitter.com/5bgyUA8SQX
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 24, 2020
The press release also included the person who will be taking over as the director of the ABS-CBN Network—Mario Luza Bautista.
Who is Mario Luza Bautista?
The ABS-CBN board of directors elected Bautista to step up to the role that Lopez has vacated. Bautista was a member of the company’s board of advisors since 2011 and served as the company’s general counsel.
He graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in 1975 with a degree in communication arts. Bautista went on to finish his law degree in the University of the Philippines in 1979 and subsequently ranked sixth in the bar exams that year.
Bautista is also the founder and managing partner of Poblador Bautista and Reyes Law Office.
A storied lawyer
As of recent history, Bautista has become associated with the title of ABS-CBN’s general counsel during their franchise renewal case, but his legal experience goes beyond that.
Bautista was a key figure in the impeachment proceedings of former President Joseph Estrada. He served as the private prosecutor who presented the key witness that would confirm Estrada’s falsification of bank documents. He was even commended by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for his efforts in the ouster of Estrada.
He was also one of the private prosecutors who assisted in the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was found guilty of not publicly disclosing his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.
With his notable legal career, we’re very interested in how he’s going to run things as ABS-CBN’s new network director and what it means for the future of the company.
Header image courtesy of Edwin Bacasamas for Inquirer.net
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Writer: ANDREIANA YUVALLOS
