MANILA - Malacañang said Monday that ABS-CBN Corp's exit from free television did not cause any "vacuum" on information dissemination during disasters like destructive typhoon Rolly, contrary to comments from the public and former officials.

Before 70 lawmakers, mostly allies of President Rodrigo Duterte, denied ABS-CBN's franchise application, the network had 53 regional television and radio stations across the country that broadcast in 6 languages, providing millions of Filipinos local news and entertainment. Government-run news agencies gave updates on Rolly, this year's strongest storm so far which killed several, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

"Gumagana po iyong communication infrastructure ng gobyerno sa panahon ng aberya so sa tingin ko po wala namang vacuum," he told reporters.

(The government's communication infrastructure is working in times of trouble so I think there is no vacuum.)

Private media outlets also had updates, he said.

"Sa tingin ko naman po, walang nagkaroon ng communication vacuum," he said.

(I think there was no communication vacuum.)