Vice President Leni Robredo has questioned the obvious double talk of Malacanang with regards to the ABS-CBN franchise issue.
During her radio program Biserbisyong Leni, Robredo pointed out the glaring contrast between Duterte’s stand and statements from the Palace coming from its loudest mouthpiece spokesman Harry Roque.
“Noong pinag-uusapan ito sa Congress, parang si Sec Roque ang nagsabi na hands off si Presidente.
“So ngayon parang baliktad. Parang baliktad na sinasabi na kahit bigyan, sisisuguraduhin na hindi makakapag-operate habang hindi pa binabayaran yung taxes,” she said.
“Parang pinanindigan nila for a very long time na walang kinalaman si Presidente sa pagcancel ng prangkisa kasi Congress lang iyon. Tapos ngayon baligtad yung sinasabi.
Parang kino-confirm lang yung pagduda ng marami dati. ‘Yung sinasabi ng spokesperson, iba sa sinasabi ng principal,” Robredo added.
Roque has always denied the involvement of Malacanang specifically President Duterte.
“To our congressmen, don’t worry, the president will neither be angry nor happy if you will grant ABS-CBN’s franchise. He is completely neutral. Vote as your conscience dictates,” said Roque prior to the voting in Congress for the ABS-CBN franchise application last year.
Duterte however on several occasions has publicly attacked ABS-CBN threatening to block its franchise renewal just like his latest statement.
During his weekly public address, Duterte threatened not to let ABS-CBN go back on air even when the Congress gives them the broadcast franchise it needs to operate.
“Congress is planning to restore the franchise of the Lopezes. I have no problem with if you restore it. But if you say that they can operate if they already have it, no. I will not allow them. I will not allow the NTC to grant them the permit to operate.”
“Unless in a deal, the Lopezes would pay their taxes, I will not — I will ignore your franchise, and I will not give them the license to operate,” he said.
ABS-CBN was forced to go off air in May 2020 following the expiration of its franchise and the cease and desist order by the NTC.
While Malacanang kept on insisting it is neutral and has no hand in the franchise application process, in July 2020 the House Committee on Legislative Franchises voted to reject the network’s franchise application which was allegedly under the marching order of ousted former speaker Alan Cayetano with the blessing of Duterte.
