President Duterte is not interested in watching the Senate hearing on the franchise issues besetting ABS-CBN television network today, Malacanang said yesterday.
According to presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, the President would rather focus on doing his job than monitor the Senate hearing on the operations of the television network.
“Hindi interesado si Presidente. Maraming trabaho si Presidente. Too many work,” he said.
A Senate panel headed by Sen. Grace Poe is expected to conduct today an investigation on the operations of ABS-CBN, including its compliance with the terms of its existing franchise.
The Senate has reportedly deferred its session to give way to the committee hearing on the network’s franchise. But Senate President Vicente Sotto III later clarified there will be no session today since the next day, the 34th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution anniversary, will be a holiday.
Panelo maintained that the Executive branch would not interfere with the work of the Senate, including its decision to hold a hearing on the network’s franchise issue.
“Desisyon nila ‘yan. Hindi nakikialaam ang Palace sa galaw ng Kongreso. It’s their turf, we will not intrude,” he said.
The Senate inquiry comes following the controversial petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida asking the Supreme Court to nullify the network’s franchise due to alleged abuses and violations of the law. The network has denied the allegations, insisting it did not violate the law.
The House of Representatives has yet to tackle any of the several bills seeking ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal following Duterte’s public tirade against the network.
The Palace recently said Congress should do its job as the network seeks to extend its franchise.
“The President said, they should do something about it. Meaning to say do their job. If there is a pending application before Congress, then members of Congress should deliberate on it and decide whether or not to grant or to deny the extension,” Panelo said.
Meanwhile, Malacañang said Duterte cannot be forced to attend events he does not want to, particularly the 34th anniversary celebration of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution tomorrow.
Panelo said he will ask the President why is he not attending the commemoration of the historic event since he assumed office in 2016.
“Kung ayaw niya umattend bakit naman natin pipiitin?” he said. “Tatanungin ko siya kung ano ang issue niya,” he added.
Last week, Panelo said Duterte may skip this year’s EDSA celebration.
“Nasa bahay lang,” Panelo said.
“Wala akong narinig na aattend siya unless na merong schedule,” he added.
According to Panelo, Feb. 25, like any day, is just an ordinary day for the President. (Genalyn Kabiling and Argyll Geducos)
