MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s repeated threats to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN were mere expressions of displeasure since the Chief Executive is not vengeful, Malacañang said Monday.

“Basta si Presidente hindi benggatibong tao. ‘Yan ang masasabi ko sa inyo. Dahil kung benggatibo yan marami na sigurong nalagas. Mabait siyang tao (The President is not a vengeful person. That’s what I can say. Because if he was, many would have fallen by the wayside. He is a kind individual),’ Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in an interview with One News PH Monday night.

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Duterte has repeatedly said in his public speeches that he would block the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise for not airing his 2016 election advertisement and for alleged biased reporting.

READ: Duterte renews threat to block ABS-CBN franchise renewal

Asked about the repeated threats, Panelo downplayed the President’s remarks.

“Baka expression lang ‘yon ng kanyang inis (It could be just an expression of his displeasure),” Panelo said.

Panelo, who is also Duterte’s chief legal counsel, said the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, which is set to expire on March 2020, is up to Congress.

“That’s the call of Congress,” he said.

At the Senate, Sen. Ralph Recto has filed a bill renewing the franchise granted to ABS-CBN while Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Micaela Violago has filed the same bill in the 18th Congress. /gsg

READ: Recto bill seeks renewal of ABS-CBN franchise for another 25 years

Bill renewing franchise of ABS-CBN refiled in House

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