OVER 'SWINDLING' FOR UNAIRED AD

Duterte threatens to block renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday continued to lash out at a pair of media companies over what he says is unfair coverage dating back to the campaign period.

In an ambush interview with reporters in Malacañang, Duterte again spoke out against broadcast firm ABS-CBN and newspaper Philippine Daily Inquirer.

He hit out at the television network for supposedly not airing a political ad that was already paid for by his campaign.

When asked if he had plans to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, he replied, "Yes."

"If ganoon ka kaano, you're engaged in swindling for all we know ilang kompanya dito na hindi n'yo pinalabas. If you operate, ABS-CBN, tapos manloloko lang kayo ng tao, mag-swindling kayo, I have to stop you, 'di ba?" he said.

Duterte also slammed the Inquirer again, this time singling out columnist John Nery, who is also editor-in-chief of Inquirer.net.

He also hit out at owners of the newspaper, telling them to return property to the people.

GMA News Online has reached out to ABS-CBN and the Inquirer for comment. —JST, GMA News