Rody: I dismantled oligarchy without declaring martial law

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PRESIDENT Duterte on Monday claimed he has dismantled oligarchy in the country without declaring martial law.

The President, addressing soldiers in Sulu, did not name the oligarchs but described some of them as those who exercise their “political powers” especially during elections, those who control the economy, and those who do not pay the right taxes.

“Without declaring martial law, sinira ko iyung mga tao na humahawak sa ekonomiya at umiipit at hindi nagbabayad. They take advantage sa kanilang political power (Without declaring martial law, I destroyed those who are controlling the economy and those who do not pay (the taxes). They take advantage of their political power),” he said.

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Duterte said these oligarchs also exercise their influence during elections as they pour support for certain candidates.

The President said that if he is unable to completely solve the issue of the oligarchs by the time he steps down in 2022, he was at least able to expose it to the public and he would leave his successor to address the issue.

Duterte’s pronouncement was made on the heels of a House decision rejecting the bid of media giant ABS-CBN Corp. to have its franchise renewed.

The President has criticized the network for its alleged bias reporting and for its failure to air his campaign advertisement in 2016 despite having paid for it.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President was not referring to the Lopezes who own ABS-CBN, but to businessmen Lucio Tan, Manuel Pangilinan, and the Ayalas who have been repeatedly mentioned in previous speeches of Duterte.

Roque said it was coincidental that the President’s speech came in the wake of the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.

Tan was mentioned by the President for alleged unpaid tax liabilities, which was later settled. Tan’s Philippine Airlines has been helping in the repatriation of distressed migrant Filipino workers.

Pangilinan and the Ayalas, who own Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc., respectively, have also been included in Duterte’s speeches for alleged ominous water contracts.

Duterte later apologized and said he was ready to discuss new deals following the assistance extended by the water firms and other companies owned by Pangilinan and the Ayalas to COVID-19 pandemic efforts.

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