The courtroom battle between the top two Filipino TV networks escalated on Thursday as one channel obtained a judge's order stopping a media research firm from surveying viewers and another channel suing the other for libel.

A court in Quezon City ordered AGB Nielsen Media Research Philippines, Inc. to stop gathering and releasing data on nationwide TV ratings for 20 days. ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. sought the order in a suit filed against AGB Nielsen last week.

ABS-CBN complained that the ratings of AGB Nielsen had been rigged to favor its rival GMA Network. The company claimed AGB Nielsen found that GMA Network bribed households covered by its ratings research so they will watch shows of the channel.

GMA Network allegedly offered groceries to households in Bacolod City in central Philippines so they will switch to their channel.

GMA Network on Thursday announced in its TV news program that it will file a libel suit against ABS-CBN for making the allegations.