President Rodrigo R. Duterte warned Monday that he will block the franchises of companies that do not comply with the requirements of the government.
President Duterte did not name the company he was talking about. However, he pointed out that these companies do not pay their taxes and are “riding on popularity because it’s so popular.”
“It’s a fad now to have these kind of shows but yet abandoning their duty to government. And you ask protection from government in your business. In return, you pay your taxes correctly.”
He sternly stated that he will not implement the franchise until “they settle their full accounts.”
“For all I care, you can have a thousand franchises. You will not see the light of day there until you come to government with clean hands. [As they say,] ‘He who comes [in] to equity must come with clean hands.’
The president denied holding any grudge and said he would even salute the company 5 times in full attention if the delinquencies in taxes are settled with the government.
Following the filing of a bill giving 25 years of franchise to giant media outlet ABS-CBN by Batangas 6th District Representative Vilma Santos-Recto, the Chief Executive warned that non-compliant companies should not compel him to do “something which is not lawful.”
“Just because you give them a franchise, it does not follow that all of their misdeeds in the past are condoned and forgiven.” – PTV News Online
