Three days before stepping down, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted to using his powers as chief executive to turn lawmakers against ABS-CBN. This was contrary to earlier claims that he did not interfere in the non-renewal of the broadcasting network’s legislative franchise.
STATEMENT
During the oath-taking of newly elected local officials in Davao City, Duterte vented his ire on Maynilad and Manila Water, ABS-CBN, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, among others, which he described in previous speeches as companies owned by “oligarchs.” He said:
“ABS-CBN never paid taxes … Ana kawatan ng ABS-CBN kaya tinira ko talaga sila (ABS-CBN is really a thief that’s why I attacked it). I used the presidential powers to tell Congress that you are dealing with scoundrels. And if you continue to kowtow [to] them, kawawa ang Pilipino (Filipinos would be disadvantaged).”
Source: News5 official Facebook page, LIVE | Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte dumalo sa panunumpa ng anak niyang si Davao City Mayor-elect Sebastian Duterte at mga inihalal na opisyal sa lungsod (January 27, 2022), June 27, 2022, watch from 1:01:23 to 1:02:48
FACT
In July 2020, Malacañang said Duterte and the executive branch “maintained a neutral stance” in the application for franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.
Read the full story on VERA Files Fact Check.
