Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque believes President Rodrigo Duterte will not veto the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bill from Congress once it reaches him.
“Unless there is any Constitutional infirmity, I don’t think the President is inclined to veto it. Sinabi na nga po ng Presidente, ‘Neutral ako diyan, gawin ninyo na ang katungkulan ninyo, bumuto na naaayon sa inyong mga konsensiya’ (The President has already said, ‘I am neutral on that matter, do your duty, vote according to your conscience’),” Roque said.
Roque also clarified the current situation is far from the Martial Law period in 1972 and mentioned Congress, Supreme Court and other courts, and media outlets are open except ABS-CBN due to the expiration of its franchise.
In a separate statement, Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar decried reports of some international media that linked President Duterte to the situation.
“One should understand, first and foremost, the Philippines’ legislative processes and rule of law before connecting any precedents as being orchestrated by the President. Let us be reminded that President Duterte has accepted the apology of ABS-CBN Corporation and this thereby undermines any assumption that the President was behind NTC’s decision,” Andanar elucidated.
“This is not an issue of press freedom but an issue regarding legislative franchise. Democracy, and the free press and free speech that come with it, is very much alive in the country and effectively protected,” he added. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
