Probe on PCOO’s alleged ‘editing out’ of portions of Duterte’s speeches sought

MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives is seeking an investigation on the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s (PCOO) alleged decision to edit out portions of President Rodrigo Duterte’s speeches.

House Resolution No. 1062, filed on Thursday, directs the House committee on public information to conduct the investigation regarding the matter. Those who filed the resolution include Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas; Bayan Muna Reps. Carlos Isagani Zarate, Eufemia Cullamat, and Ferdinand Gaite; ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro; and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago.

Citing Executive Order No. 4 Series of 2010, which serves as the legal basis for the creation of the PCOO, the lawmakers said the agency’s policy is to “ensure transparency and full and appropriate disclosure of policies, programs, official activities, and achievements of the Office of the President and Executive Branch which are of public concern.”

“The PCOO’s decision to edit out portions of the President’s speech runs counter to its mandate to ensure transparency and full disclosure of the chief executive’s pronouncements and activities that are of public concern,” the lawmakers said.

“[The] said decision also deprives Filipinos of their right to know and further puts into question the credibility and transparency of the national government’s communications arms,” they added.

Specifically, the lawmakers pointed out Duterte’s speech in Sulu, which was uploaded by Radio Television Malacañang on its YouTube account and aired on the country’s state television.

In the said speech, Duterte claimed to have dismantled oligarchy without martial law.

The said speech happened only days after 70 lawmakers in the House committee on legislative franchises voted to deny the franchise bid of the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN.

But Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that Duterte was not referring to the Lopezes when the President made the remark.

However, an audio recording of his entire speech obtained by the media showed that the president launched fresh tirades against the network, even claiming that ABS-CBN’s equipment was tax-free.

In the same speech, the lawmakers said Duterte also briefly mentioned other prominent businessmen.

JE