(Eagle News)—President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, Aug. 4, lashed out at the Prieto family and ABS-CBN anew, noting what he said were their liabilities to the government.
In a speech in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Duterte even expressed his opposition to the television station’s franchise renewal.
“Sige, padala ng emissary para kausapin ako….(But) Nothing will happen. I will not talk to you but I will never also intervene,” Duterte said.
If he had his way, though, “I would not give it (franchise) back” to ABSCBN.
“Magnanakaw kayo e. Niloloko ninyo yung mga maliliit,” he said.
As for the Prietos, he said their Dunkin Donuts franchise owed the government billions of pesos worth of taxes.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue has sued Golden Donuts Inc. for its alleged evasion of taxes amounting to over P1 billion in 2007.
Golden Donuts Inc. has denied the accusations.
Mile Long
Duterte also revived his accusation the Prietos “swindled” the government in connection with the 6.2-hectare property in Makati.
The Prietos own Sunvar Realty Corp., which leased the property from the government.
Sunvar evacuated the property in April 2017, upon orders by a Makati court.
“Iyong Inquirer sabi ko, ‘Ikaw Inquirer…’ ‘Yung Mile Long diyan sa Makati. For the longest time…You know, they are liable for plunder,” he said.