Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Francis Lim has outlined a private settlement framework to resolve the ongoing dispute within the Lopez family over control of several listed companies.
Speaking at a forum on July 13, Lim said he personally drafted a roadmap that includes bilateral talks, followed by structured mediation-conciliation and arbitration if needed. He stressed the need to keep the matter private, noting that public interest is at stake because several companies involved are listed.
Lim, who previously served on the boards of First Philippine Holdings and Energy Development Corporation, acknowledged his personal ties to the family, including being the godfather of Federico “Piki” Lopez’s son. He assured both sides that decisions would be made without favoritism, stating he would “decide things the way they should be decided.”
The regulator has consolidated related cases into a single ad hoc committee. These include Piki Lopez’s request for an independent management committee at ABS-CBN and disputes over board elections. Lim also noted reports of a potential white knight investor entering negotiations to support the network.
