“How can people continue to trust the government’s pronouncements when the president’s very own words are manipulated and then twisted by those who speak on his behalf?”
This was a line from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism’s statement published on Friday demanding transparency in speeches of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Recent reports have claimed that the Malacañang has been editing out portion of the president’s statements, which was revealed by the release of an audio recording from his address in Jolo, Sulu delivered to troops.
Nine media groups and 51 journalists have signed this statement demanding the live broadcasting of Duterte’s speeches sans the editing of Philippine Communications Operations Office. In addition, they also asked for an explanation of why such “manipulation” is needed.
The President mentioned broadcast network and Lopez family-owned ABS-CBN while also saying that he dismantled an oligarchy. However, the part about ABS-CBN was not aired.
The speech came shortly after ABS-CBN’s bid for a franchise renewal was rejected by the House of Representatives.
