Ramon Ang 'very, very interested' in GMA Network -Gozon

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. and Philippine Airlines chief executive Ramon Ang is seeking to acquire a stake in GMA Network, the broadcast firm's chairman Felipe Gozon confirmed.

Gozon admitted in a press conference Monday, however, that he is not privy to Ang's plan in wanting to be a co-owner of the network.

"I don't know why Mr. {Ramon] Ang is very, very interested in GMA," Gozon said.

The businessman also declined to divulge details of the negotiations, saying he is bound by a confidentiality agreement.

"We are talking. Period," Gozon said.

Ang's move came after GMA Network's failed negotiations with telecommunications mogul Manuel V. Pangilinan. Pangilinan, also the chairman of TV5, had said he has lost interest in acquiring a stake in the country's second largest broadcasting network.

Gozon confirmed that Pangilinan "got tired" and backed out from the talks.

Business analyst and STAR columnist Boo Chanco, meanwhile, said Ang's interest in having an influence over the network is similar to Pangilinan's "play."

"[Ang] needs [GMA] for content. He has the same play as MVP and ABS-CBN. If RSA (Ramon S. Ang) gets to buy GMA 7, he will use it together with Solar to provide content for a major telco play he has in mind," Chanco said on his Twitter account, reacting to the STAR Group's posts.

Through San Miguel Corp., Ang has acquired a stake in Solar Entertainment Corp. reportedly to start his own television network by December this year.

GMA Network profits fell by 46 percent to P325 million in the first quarter of the year--a departure from the network's P601 -million earnings fueled by political advertisement amid the mid-term national elections in the first quarter of 2013.

Gozon said the firm is expecting better numbers in the next few months as the network's top advertisers have committed to place advertisements on its programs. - reports from Lawrence Agcaoili

Disclosure: Businessman Manuel Pangilinan is a majority owner of Philstar.com.