AnaKalusugan Partylist Congressman Mike Defensor continues to press on Development Bank of the Philippines officers regarding the controversial Lopez loans.
During the committee hearing on Tuesday, February 23, Defensor insisted that DBP’s selling of Lopez loans to the Lehman Brothers through the SPV is illegal.
Defensor who is a known opposer of the ABS-CBN franchise renewal argued that the Lopez loans are ineligible for the SPV law thus DBP should not have sold them to the private financial institution.
During his grilling, Defensor
“Why would you sell, hindi naman masamang account ‘to talaga totally,” said Defensor.
A netizen meanwhile pointed out that Defensor’s insistence on his argument is somewhat flawed since the country even the world is under financial crisis during that time that’s why his waiting game scenario is not possible.
The re-opening of the hearing on the DBP loans was precipitated by President Duterte’s recent tirade against ABS-CBN and the Lopezes.
The President during his public address warned ABS-CBN that he will not sign their franchise law even if Congress approved it.
Durterte insisted that the Lopezes must pay their tax obligations, pointing to the DBP loan. BIR and even the DBP meanwhile has cleared ABS-CBN of any liabilities to their offices saying ABS-CBN has been religiously paying their taxes. The DBP meanwhile belied allegations that they condoned the Lopez loan, instead, it was sold to Lehman Brothers through the SPV law.
Defensor also dared the DBP to explain the matter to the President should they insist that there is no anomaly in the selling of the Lopez loans.
“Bakit hindi niyo po kausapin ang Presidente at ipaliwanag kung ganyan ang inyong paniniwala,” said Defensor.
