Duterte acknowledges media as an ‘indispensable institution,’ Roque says

Palace spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday said that President Rodrigo Duterte values the press as an "indispensable institution" of democracy, despite his tirades against media companies and journalists.

In a forum in Quezon City, Roque was asked about the Chief Executive's most recent expletive-laden rant against television network ABS-CBN.

"Ang aking posisyon diyan, same way with how I deal with any media company... we have to work with them. In a democracy, media and the free press are there as indispensable part, as an independent institution of democracy... for as long as they comply with the laws we have to deal with them," Roque said.

"He [Duterte] knows it's an indispensable institution and for ABS-CBN siguro talagang nagalit lang siya doon sa parang nagpa-advertise siya na di in-air, no?" Roque added.

Last week, Duterte said that if it were up to him, ABS-CBN's franchise would not be renewed.

Duterte accused the network of unfair coverage and not airing his ads during the 2016 campaign period.

Duterte has also lashed out at the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Rappler. — BM, GMA News