By Deighton Acuin and Archie Villaflores

PHOTO: CNN Philippines

President Rodrigo Duterte’s fresh tirades against the network giant ABS-CBN contradicted his assertion that he was “neutral” in the House of Representatives’ move not to grant a new franchise, Vice President Leni Robredo said Sunday.

“Parang kino-confirm lang iyong pagdududa ng marami dati. Pero iyon nga, iyong sinasabi ng spokesperson, iba sa sinasabi ng principal,” Robredo said.

“Noong pinag-uusapan ito sa Congress, parang si Secretary Roque yata iyong nagsabi na hands-off dito si Presidente. Parang sinasabi nila, kung ano iyong desisyon ng Congress ay i-o-honor. Hands-off dito.”

“So ngayon parang baligtad. Parang baligtad na sinasabi na kahit bigyan, sisiguraduhin na hindi makakapag-operate,” she added.

Last year, Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Duterte has no hand in the actions of the lower chamber regarding the matter.

In his fresh remarks against the broadcasting company, the President said the Lopez family should settle its unpaid taxes.

"Congress is planning to restore the franchise. Wala akong problem kung i-restore ninyo but I will not allow them to operate. I will not allow the NTC to grant them the permit to operate," Duterte said.

"Unless and until mabayaran ng mga Lopez ang taxes nila, I will ignore your franchise and I will not give them the license to operate," Duterte added.

Lopez Holdings Corporation earlier said it had no outstanding loans from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).


RELATED ARTICLE: GMA News