After filing a case against AGB-Nielsen Philippines over the alleged manipulation of television surveys, ABS-CBN now seems to train its eyes on its rival GMA-7 as behind the supposed rigging.

Despite a statement from ABS-CBN officials that the case was only directed at AGB-Nielsen, it was an ABS-CBN radio reporter who tagged GMA-7, citing a statement from Maya Reforma, AGB Nielsen Philippines general manager in an exclusive interview, wherein she was quoted as saying that GMA-7 was behind activities that could have exposed panel homes to influence.  GMA-7 issued a statement saying the ABS-CBN dzMM radio report was “erroneous” and added Reforma, who it said issued a court affidavit belying the claim, had not directly named GMA-7 as behind the alleged manipulation of the TV ratings. ABS-CBN stood by its reporter’s story. GMA-7, meanwhile, will file a libel suit against ABS-CBN over the report.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court has released a temporary restraining order to prevent AGB-Nielsen from releasing or reporting television ratings from Bacolod City, the area where the alleged manipulation took place as revealed by an ABS-CBN informant.
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“Pinagtatawanan na kami ng mga pirata,” Sen. Bong Revilla said in interviews over showbiz talk shows. Revilla was referring to his spat with Optical Media Board (OMB) chief and fellow actor-TV host Edu Manzano. Throughout the week, the two engaged in a public verbal tussle on a botched operation against suspected pirates.

“Matapang siya, matapang din ako. Kung tuloy-tuloy lang kami dito, walang mangayayari. Kaya, tama na ang bangayan,” Revilla stressed.

The word war started when Revilla had “observed” an OMB raid on stores suspected of selling pirated movie and music discs and computer software in the Makati Cinema Square mall on Tuesday. When they reached the stores, none of the pirated materials were found on the shelves. Because of this botched raid, Revilla chastised Manzano, whom he charged to have “backed out at the last minute.” In the end, Revilla had answered a reporter’s question on how he would assess Manzano’s performance as OMB chair. He said, “below average.”
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