Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo reminded members of the House of Representatives once again to do their job in the hearing of the controversial ABS-CBN franchise.
Panelo added that lawmakers “have no business being members of Congress” if they will decide whether or not to extend the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp just because of President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks on the network.
“If you are influenced by the actions of Duterte or the utterances of this man, then you have no business being members of Congress,” Panelo told ABS-CBN News.
“You are there precisely because of the oath you have taken to enact laws, to investigate in aid of legislation — nothing more, nothing less,” he added.
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Panelo clarified that Duterte’s threats do not literally mean closing down or shutting down the network.
“Hindi naman literal iyon e. He wants to shut down the fraudulent practices of your network,” Panelo said.
“Walang kinalaman iyon sa pag-grant o pag-renew ng franchise because that is the job of Congress,” Panelo added.
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Malacañang advised lawmakers to their job in accordance with the constitution and not to rely on the President’s orders.
“Kung anong trabaho ninyo, under the Constitution, gawin ninyo. Why does the Speaker have to take a cue from Malacañang? Why do members of Congress have to wait for what the President will say about anything?” he added.
