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Duterte’s threat vs. ABS-CBN clashes with denial he had part in move to shut network —Robredo


Vice President Leni Robredo said President Rodrigo Duterte’s new threat against ABS-CBN contradicted his previous assertion that he has no hand in the House of Representatives’ move to shut down the network.

“Parang kino-confirm lang iyong pagdududa ng marami dati. Pero iyon nga, iyong sinasabi ng spokesperson, iba sa sinasabi ng principal,” she said.

Earlier, Duterte said that he would not allow the National Telecommunications Commission to give ABS-CBN a license to operate even if the network is given a new franchise by Congress.

Last year, then-Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Duterte has no hand in the actions of the House of Representatives on the issue of the ABS-CBN franchise.

“Noong pinag-uusapan ito sa Congress, parang si Secretary Roque yata iyong nagsabi na hands-off dito si Presidente. Parang sinasabi nila, kung ano iyong desisyon ng Congress ay i-o-honor. Hands-off dito,” she said.

“So ngayon parang baligtad. Parang baligtad na sinasabi na kahit bigyan, sisiguraduhin na hindi makakapag-operate,” she added.

In his new remarks against the network, Duterte said the Lopez family should first settle its unpaid obligations.

"Congress is planning to restore the franchise. Wala akong problem kung i-restore ninyo but I will not allow them to operate. I will not allow the NTC to grant them the permit to operate," Duterte said.

"Unless and until mabayaran ng mga Lopez ang taxes nila, I will ignore your franchise and I will not give them the license to operate," he added.

Lopez Holdings Corporation has said it had no outstanding loans with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). — BM, GMA News

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