President Duterte is not backing down in his attack against media giant ABS-CBN.
In his latest statement, Duterte lashed out anew on ABS-CBN, using ‘already settled’ issues.
In his speech in Tacloban City on Thursday, March 18, the President blasted the Kapamilya network [again] to boast his fight against oligarchs.
Duterte brought up the issue of his un-aired campaign ads during the 2016 Presidential campaign.
“Kay rami na nilang kalokohan na ginawa, magkobra ng pera hindi sinauli, hindi naman ni-air time yung binayad mo,” said Duterte.
However, the said concern was already settled and clarified by no less than ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak during the Senate hearing.
Katigbak explained the reason for not airing some of Duterte’s ads was due to the airtime limit. ABS-CBN wasn’t able to air around Php7 million worth of Duterte’s local ads. However, Php4 million of the Php7 million was already refunded and the remaining Php2.6 million was delayed. When the Network was about to return the balance, ABS-CBN said the President’s camp rejected it.
“On this issue, we acknowledge our shortcomings in our failure to release that refund in a timely manner and we corrected that so that in 2019, our policy is 7 days–if your spot is not aired the check would be back to the client or the advertiser[s] within 7 days.
“We acknowledge our shortcomings on the refund,” he said.
Katigbak also apologized to Duterte with regard to the controversial ads that ABS-CBN carried during the campaign.
Duterte meanwhile on his part said he already accepted the apology by the ABS-CBN executive.
“Nandiyan na ‘yan. Yes, I accept the apology,” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, another issue that Duterte keeps on recycling is the issue of the Lopez loans.
Duterte on ABS-CBN: Kaya ngayon, magsabi sila ibalik. Hanggang presidente ako, bayaran muna nila ang utang
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) March 18, 2021
The controversial DBP loans have been Duterte’s go-to issue when he’s attacking ABS-CBN.
DBP on several occasions however has already clarified the issue clearing ABS-CBN of any liability. While Duterte and his propagandist claim that ABS-CBN mocked the government after the Lopez loans were condoned or written off, DBP officials maintained that questioned loans were not condoned or written off, but sold to Lehman Brothers via the SPV Law instead.
Also, ABS-CBN has repeatedly stated that they may not be a perfect organization but they stand by their belief that they did not violate any law that will cost their franchise.
Kapamilya network President and CEO Carlo Katigbak in his statement, on May 26, 2020, said while ABS-CBN detractors and oppositions tried to pound the Network with the phrase the law is the law, Katigbak said up to now there was no court of law that determined they have broken any law.
“The law is the law. And under the law, we are innocent unless proven guilty. Up to now, there is no court that has determined we have broken any laws.”
"The law is the law. And under the law, we are innocent unless proven guilty. Up to now, there is no court that has determined we have broken any laws."
– ABS-CBN CEO & President Carlo L. Katigbak | May 26,2020 ❤️💚💙#WeNeedABSCBN #ForeverKapamilya pic.twitter.com/OZJFzGY2M6
— Kapamilya Outsider (@kpmlyaoutsidr) March 18, 2021
