PRRD gives Lucio Tan 10 days to settle unpaid financial fees

President Duterte has called on tycoon Lucio Tan to settle his unpaid financial fees to the government in 10 days or else risk the closure of a terminal used by his airline company.

The President said he turned down the campaign money offered by Tan, the fifth richest man in the Philippines according to the Forbes List of 2017 and owner of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), and instead told him to pay his liabilities to the government.

“I did not accept his money. He is a contributor. At sabihin ko na [I will say his name] – Lucio Tan, donor of funds. Sabi ko [I said] ‘No,’” he said during the Philippine Constitution Association gathering at the Manila Hotel.

“You are using government buildings, airport, you have a

back… utang diyan sa runway ‘di mo binabayaran [debts from the runway you have not paid]. Sabi ko [I said], ‘You solve the problem yourself. I will give you 10 days. Bayaran mo. ‘Pag hindi mo bayaran, eh ‘di sarahan ko.” Wala nang airport. So what? [Pay them. If you don’t pay, I will close it down. There will be no airport. So what?],” he said.

The President said travelers would just have to take the land route if the terminal used by the Tan-owned airline is shut down due to nonpayment of financial obligations.

“Kayo Pilipino have to travel overland from Luzon to Davao. ‘Basta bayaran mo, huwag mo akong bigyan ng sh*t nang ganun [Just pay them, don’t give me that sh*t]. I do not mind. If we sink, we sink,” he said.

Duterte, however, did not give details about the amount and kind of debts owed by Tan to the government.

Aside from being the chairman and chief executive officer of PAL, Tan is also the founder and chairman of the $1.1-billion LT Group which has interests in tobacco, spirits, banking, and property development.