Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated that the Palace takes “no stand” on the proposed fines on ABS-CBN being concocted by members of Congress.
In a press briefing on July 20, Roque said that the Palace respects the decision of Congress and takes no stand on it. “Wala tayong komento diyan. ‘Yan po ay indibidwal na opinyon ng mga mambabatas. We respect their views but we take no stand.”
Following the decision of Congress to deny the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN Network, some congressmen are eyeing to seize more assets from the network.
The proposed sanctions were presented by Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, Deputy Majority Leader Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Anakalusugan Representative Michael Defensor who on July 17 upheld their decision to shut down the Lopez-owned company.
“Kinukwenta ko sa 5 million black boxes times P200 per day (fine). Eh 365 days per year, nakapagbenta sila sa five years, four months. Kaya ang kwenta ko P1.97 trillion pesos,” Marcoleta calculated.
Marcoleta insisted that ABS-CBN should be charged for its supposed illegal TV Plus sales. Aside from this, he also claimed that the Lopezes do not own the property where ABS-CBN stands and that they should seize it.
They added that if ABS-CBN would not be able to comply with the fines, they could instead get their properties and possessions.
“Ipunin natin lahat ng pagaari nila sa Pilipinas, marami pa naman siguro iyun. Iaattach natin lahat ng pagaari nila.”
These allegations were already cleared during the franchise renewal hearings with several government agencies such as the Department of Justice, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Department of Labor and Employment attesting that the network did not violate any law. The three congressmen seem keen on circumventing the law to squeeze out everything they can from the Lopezes.
The Palace has repeatedly stated they have nothing to do with the issues about ABS-CBN’s franchise after Roque claimed that they “maintained a neutral stance on the issue.” President Rodrigo Duterte, however, has shown otherwise since recorded statements displayed threats against the network from as early as 2017.
Recently, Duterte, in an uncut record of his speech in Jolo, Sulu, was caught admitting he targetted the network after claiming that he has dismantled the oligarchy, which everyone believed was directly referring to ABS-CBN.
