This view shows the ABS-CBN network headquarters in Quezon City in the Metro Manila area on May 5, 2020. – The Philippines’ top broadcaster ABS-CBN on May 5 was ordered off the air over a stalled operating licence renewal, drawing fresh charges that authorities were cracking down on press freedom. (Photo by Maria TAN / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday opened his State of the Nation Address by saying that he was a “casualty” of media giant ABS-CBN.
“Media is a powerful tool in the hands of oligarchs like the Lopezes who use their media outlets to battle with political figures,” Duterte said.
“I am a casualty of the Lopezes during the 2016 elections,” he added.
ABS-CBN has been off the air since May 5. It has yet to be granted with a new franchise by Congress.
A total of 70 lawmakers in a House panel voted against granting the network a new congressional franchise to resume its operations.
Duterte had repeatedly vowed to block the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, citing the network’s failure to air his ads during his campaign for the presidency in 2016.
Despite this, Malacañang claimed that Duterte is “neutral” on the matter and that the network’s franchise is solely in Congress’ hands.
In February, ABS-CBN apologized to the President and explained that the time limits under the election law prohibited the airing of some of his ads.
The network even offered to return the President’s money, but Duterte said they should just donate it to a charitable institution.
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN is set to let go some of its employees by the end of August as its franchise remains elusive.