Duterte says he won‘t let ABS-CBN run even with franchise – unless Lopezes pay taxes

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday night that he would not allow ABS-CBN to operate even if Congress would grant the Lopez-owned network a new franchise.

“Congress is planning to restore the franchise of the Lopezes. I have no problem with if you restore it,” Duterte said in Filipino in his pre-recorded speech.

“But if you say that they can operate if they already have it, no. I will not allow them. I will not allow the NTC to grant them the permit to operate,” he added, referring to the National Telecommunications Commission.

“Unless in a deal, the Lopezes would pay their taxes, I will not — I will ignore your franchise, and I will not give them the license to operate,” Duterte said.

Allowing the network to operate without payment of taxes, he said, would be nonsense — “kalokohan.”

“It’s like you gave them a prize for committing a crime,” he said.

[atm]