PCOO Secretary Andanar calls some international media reports “unjust and unfair”
MANILA – Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said claims and assertions associating Duterte with the National Telecommunications Commission’s decision to order the closure of media giant ABS-CBN the other day.
“Such claims are bereft of truth and just a rehash of an old malicious imputation to bedevil the President and his administration,” Secretary Andanar said in a statement released Thursday morning.
He said one should understand the country’s legislative processes and rule of law before “connecting any precedents as being orchestrated by the President.”
He explained ABS-CBN’s closure was due to the expiration of its 25-year legislative franchise last Monday, May 4. He added it is within the authority of the country’s legislature and not on the President “who only signs the law to be executory.
“It is, therefore, totally unfair and objectionable for some parties and some international media to insist that what happened to the network is due to ‘having incurred the ire’ of the President. This assertion is remarkably erroneous, lacks objectivity and scant in factual basis. Simply, a false narrative,” he added. He said the closure is not an issue of press freedom but an issue regarding legislative franchise.
In closing, Secretary Andanar expressed gratitude for ABS-CBN’s service “especially at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Secretary Andanar, however, did not mention any specific international media outlets responsible for the “unjust and unfair reports.” (Melo M. Acuña)
PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar. (Screen Grab from "Laging Handa"/PTV4)