By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: Showbiz Chika

“Are you running for public office next year?”

This was what Chief Presidential Counsel Salvador Panelo asked on two personalities critical of the Duterte administration after supposed fondness of giving comments.

In his daily “Counterpoint” commentary, Panelo reminded Actress Agot Isidro and Actor Enchong Dee to “know the facts” before giving comments on the issues hounding the operation franchise of network giant ABS-CBN.

The personalities earlier expressed their dismay on President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to block the franchise of the network even if the Congress grant it. In an address last week, Duterte said he will not allow the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to grant a license unless the broadcasting giant settles their unpaid taxes to the government.

“Kayong dalawa Agot Isidro at saka itong batang-batang na kababayan natin na si Enchong Dee na nagbigay na naman ng kanilang  mga pahayag, dismayado daw sila. Bakit naman daw itong si Presidente sasabihin na hindi niya papayagan na mag-operate kahit may prangkisa,” Panelo said.

“Mahilig din itong dalawang ito pumasok ‘no. Ano ba kayo? Tatakbo ba kayo congressman? Tatakbo ba kayong konsehal o barangay kapitan?” Panelo asked.

The Palace official then urged Isidro and Dee to refrain from commenting on issues until they have done fact-checking and research.

“Eh hindi pa nga ninyo alam kung ano puno’t dulo basta na lang kayo pumapasok. Papakinggan ninyo muna. Know your facts. Research bago kayo magsalita,” Panelo said.

Days after Duterte delivered his televised speech, the personalities took on social media to surface their criticisms on the Chief Executive’s pronouncements.

“Andyan ka pa rin?? Hoy Gising! Ang daming Pilipino naghihirap ngayon, yun muna unahin natin kahit wala kaming franchise nakakapagbigay serbisyo kami,” Dee tweeted.

“Si Duterte. Hindi ang Kongreso, hindi ang NTC. Utos niya, simula’t sapul,” Isidro tweeted.

Meanwhile, Panelo plans to further discuss the network’s alleged tax obligations on his program after reviewing documents. He also admitted he has asked for documents related to the network from the office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.


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