Lopez majority directs ₱2.2 billion to ABS-CBN following RSA entry
The three branches of the Lopez family majority, comprising Crème Investment Corp., Mantes Corp., and Presta Holdings Co. Inc., announced that they will invest ₱2.2 billion in ABS-CBN Corp.
In a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 12, the group said the funds would come from their personal resources. This comes a few days after Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III’s Crème Investment sold its 25.7-percent stake in the Lopez family’s ultimate holding company, Lopez Inc., to billionaire Ramon S. Ang.
“ABS-CBN has been part of this family for generations. The mission my father set out to pursue remains the heartbeat of this family—to be in the service of the Filipino. We are putting our own money behind this conviction,” Gabby Lopez said on behalf of the family members.
He said the funds to be injected are meant to address obligations due to long-serving employees and to support ABS-CBN’s recovery plans. Details surrounding the investment are to be finalized with ABS-CBN.
A ₱2-billion infusion from Lopez Inc. into ABS-CBN was reported to have been blocked by cousin Federico “Piki” Lopez, who had chosen to focus on the group’s power generation businesses through First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPH) and First Gen Corp.
Gabby Lopez said he sold his stake in Lopez Inc. for two reasons: “The first is my family. This dispute has not been good for any of us, or for the people who work in our companies. This allows us to take a step toward the restoration of family peace.”
“The second is that it allows me to channel our family’s resources into businesses aligned with our personal mission. We will announce more on this in due time. Our families have known Ramon a long time. I am confident he will be a good partner to Lopez Inc.,” he added.
For his part, Ang said, “I have known the Lopez family for decades. Not one branch of it, but all of them. I am a friend to each, and I intend to stay that way.”
“I came in because I believe in these businesses, and because a steady partner at the table can be good for everyone around it. The family branches that continue to hold the controlling majority of Lopez Inc., will continue to lead it. My interest is that the group comes out of this stronger,” he added.
Meanwhile, Piki Lopez said, “We welcome Mr. Ramon Ang to Lopez Inc. with deep appreciation. We have been friends for a long time and so I do look forward to working together with him.”
He noted, “We recognize the value that Ramon brings to Lopez Inc. with his proven expertise and extensive experience. The Lopez family’s entry into this partnership with him is truly a welcome development and in line with our history of partnering with recognized individuals and institutions to promote the growth of our businesses.”
“It’s a great step toward resolving issues that have affected our family as well as our businesses and can only be good for everyone,” Piki Lopez further stated. - James A. Loyola