Duterte bares ABS-CBN sending emissary to secure franchise renewal

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Duterte bares ABS-CBN sending emissary to secure franchise renewal

 

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte revealed on Friday, August 3, that local broadcast network ABS-CBN keeps on sending emissary to his office to negotiate the renewal of its franchise, which is set to expire in 2020.

Speaking before his audience in Bukidnon, Duterte said he was merely sending the media giant's representative away, stressing that he has no plans of intervening in its franchise renewal.



"Now, ABS-CBN, 'yung franchise nila is due for renewal. Sige, padala ng emissary para kausapin ako (Now, ABS-CBN's franchise is due for renewal. They are sending an emissary to negotiate with me)," the President said during the inauguration of Northern Mindanao Wellness and Reintegration Center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

"Nothing will happen. I will not talk to you, but I will never also intervene," he added.

Duterte has repeatedly slammed ABS-CBN, along with local newspaper firm Philippine Daily Inquirer, for their supposed bias by slanting reports about him, including his supposed ill-gotten wealth and his controversial war on illegal drugs.

ABS-CBN's franchise will expire on March 30, 2020. Its renewal remains pending in Congress.

To recall, Duterte said in April 2017 that he would block the renewal of ABS-CBN's 25-year congressional franchise.

Duterte reiterated that he personally does not want the broadcast company's franchise renewed.

He, however, clarified that he would not meddle in Congress' process for ABS-CBN's franchise renewal.

"If I had my way, I would not give it back to you. Magnanakaw kayo e. Niloloko ninyo yung mga maliliit (If I had my way, I would not give it back to you. You are thieves. You are duping small people)," Duterte said. (SunStar Philippines)

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