According to his spokesman, President Rodrigo Duterte stern warning to companies on settling their tax obligations before applying for a franchise also covers the broadcasting giant ABS-CBN.
Duterte stated during the weekly Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases meeting that all firms seeking a fresh franchise should come to the government “with clean hands.”
“For all I care, you can have a 1,000 franchise, you will not see the light of day until you come to government with clean hands. Wala akong galit, bayaran mo lang ang gobyerno, sasaludo ako sa inyo limang beses,” Duterte said.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said during his regular briefing that it is safe to assume this includes ABS-CBN, which has been shutdown by Congress’ denial of its franchise.
“Lahat iyan ay addressed sa mga nag-a-apply ng prangkisa. Insofar as ABS-CBN is one of them, I guess it’s a safe conclusion that it is also applicable to ABS-CBN and all those who want a franchise,” he said.
In his public address late Monday evening, Duterte did not name any specific company, but stressed that those who cannot pay their dues “will not see the light of day” until they come clean.
The alleged tax-avoidance schemes of ABS-CBN Corporation has been pointed out as one of the reasons for the broadcast giant’s non-franchise renewal by the House of Representatives last July. The National Telecommunications Commission ordered ABS-CBN to cease their broadcast last May 5 with their franchise expiration.
