Dispatch from Crame No. 663:
Sen. Leila M. de Lima's Statement on Duterte's relentless threats to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise

12/7/19

The closure of a media outlet over a personal whim and political vendetta has no place in a free, democratic and just society. Clearly, the President's attacks on Rappler and Inquirer, and recently, his renewed threats of blocking ABS-CBN's franchise, are part of his regime's blatant crackdown, broader propaganda and misinformation against media outlets, opposition leaders and organizations who criticize and challenge his crooked and brutal policies.

And while he has all the legal avenues to address his grievances against ABS-CBN, Mr. Duterte chooses the path Marcos took. Like his idol, he has shown how much of a dictator he can be--spewing tirades against the network, accusing it of biased reporting and of defrauding him in the 2016 elections.

In his usual authoritarian streak, Mr. Duterte stifles press freedom and pressures the media to do his personal bidding. In December 2017, he even proposed that if ABS-CBN promotes federalism, he will make amends with the latter.

Ginagamit ni Duterte ang kapangyarihan at ang kaban ng gobyerno para gipitin ang mga indibidwal, grupo at organisasyon na may personal siyang galit, o iyong mga hindi yumuyukod sa kanyang kapritso o hindi umaayon sa kanyang personal o pulitikal na agenda.

Duterte has repeatedly lambasted ABS-CBN for not being of service to him. But the truth is: ABS-CBN has 65 years of public service to the Filipino people, including fighting a dictator. Meanwhile, Duterte has three years of failed Presidency; he is someone who just became famous worldwide because of his incompetence, violence and false bravado.

Nananawagan ako sa aking mga kapwa mambabatas: Huwag nilang hayaang maging kasangkapang muli ng isang diktador. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa pagpapatigil sa operasyon ng ABS-CBN. Tungkol ito sa pagpigil sa malayang pamamahayag, pagsiil sa ating mga karapatan, at pagkitil sa ating demokrasya.

Isipin natin ang malawak na implikasyon ng ating desisyon sa ating mga institusyon: Kung ang isang estasyong nakatutulong sa buhay ng milyon-milyong Pilipino ay basta lamang ipasasara dahil lang sa galit at paghihiganti ng isang taong makasarili, mapaniil at gahaman sa kapangyarihan.

We express support and solidarity for Philippine media. It is crucial that they remain independent and uncowed, reporting on the whole truth without fear of backlash from powers that be.

Like the populist dictators of the world who came before him, Mr. Duterte and his cronies are after aggrandizement while the masses become more destitute.

Sa kanilang dalawa ng ABS-CBN, malinaw naman kung sino talaga ang in the service of the Filipino.

#StandUpToBullying ###

(Access the handwritten version of Dispatch from Crame No. 663, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_from_crame_no._663)