MANILA - The Office of the Solicitor General's petition to nullify ABS-CBN Corp's franchise is "much ado about nothing" as the network could easily file another application for a fresh license to operate, Malacañang said Thursday.

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President Rodrigo Duterte has not discussed the Solicitor General's quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN Corp and one of its subsidiaries to Cabinet members, according to his spokesman Salvador Panelo.

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"It’s an independent move on the Solicitor General. The President doesn’t interfere with any departments unless there’s a complaint of corruption," he told ANC's Early Edition.

"The filing of the petition is much ado about nothing. Because if the quo warranto petition succeeds, then all ABS-CBN can do is reapply for a new franchise."

The Solicitor General's quo warranto petition refers to ABS-CBN's current franchise, Panelo said.

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"If the franchise is revoked by reason of the petition of quo warranto, then ABS-CBN can again apply for a new franchise. Congress will have to resolve it," he said.

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Duterte earlier assured media practitioners of equal protection of their rights but told them that broadcasting rights are a “privilege” and any abuse of such would not be tolerated by government.

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The President has criticized ABS-CBN for allegedly not airing a campaign ad that he paid for before the 2016 presidential election. Last December, Duterte urged the owners of ABS-CBN to just sell the company.

Congress has yet to act on several bills seeking to grant a fresh 25-year franchise for ABS-CBN, which is set to end on March 30.