Duterte tells ABS-CBN to sell the network

Philippine President tells media firm that has drawn his ire to sell company ahead of the network’s franchise expiry.

MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told owners of a media conglomerate that has drawn his ire to sell the company ahead of the network’s franchise expiry.

The mercurial leader has a rocky relationship with the media, especially with those critical of his bloody anti-narcotics campaign, and he has threatened numerous times to block the franchise extension of ABS-CBN Corp.

“This ABS, your contract will expire, and you try to renew. I don’t know what will happen to you,” Duterte said in a speech before earthquake victims in the southern province of North Cotabato.

The broadcast franchise of ABSCBN, the country’s largest media conglomerate with dozens of local and national radio and television stations covering news, entertainment and public affairs, will expire in March 2020.

“If I were you, just sell it,” Duterte said of the network, which he had accused of not airing his paid advertisement during the presidential race in 2016.

A Bill to extend its licence is pending in congress, which is dominated by Duterte’s allies.

Duterte, in numerous public speeches, has lashed out at the media, while his office has at times accused media companies of bias or distorting his statements. — Reuters