MANILA — A supposed plan for government lawyers to seek the cancellation of ABS-CBN media network's franchise "has never been discussed at all" during a meeting among President Rodrigo Duterte and his top aides, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday.

Citing "unimpeachable sources", The Manila Times reported that the Office of the Solicitor General would ask the Supreme Court to revoke ABS-CBN's franchise through a quo warranto petition.

"The renewal or non-renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise was casually mentioned in a Cabinet meeting several months ago, but the filing of a quo warranto petition has never been discussed at all," Guevarra told reporters.

Congress has yet to act on bills renewing the leading network's franchise, set to expire in March.

A quo warranto petition could be filed against a person who "usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise," according to the Rules of Civil Procedure.

More details to follow.