So how did President Duterte supposedly dismantle the oligarchs in the country?
According to the President, he did not let his fear hold him back and boldly called out the oligarchs for their offenses. His corruption-free record in government also emboldened the Duterte government to run after the rich few that have allegedly wielded influence over the nation's political and economic fortunes.
With several months left in office, Duterte now relishes his success in bringing down the oligarchs as one of his feats in office.
"Don’t fool with me like that because I’ve been sincere. Me? Corrupt? Even if you turn me upside down, you won’t be able to find anything about corruption. This is why I can go against the oligarchs," Duterte said during a visit in Cagayan de Oro City Friday.
"The one thing that I will treasure in my heart, ako lang, is that I exposed and dismantled the oligarchs," he added.
No other leader managed to bring down the oligarchs since they were supposedly afraid of losing elections, according to the President. And unlike other politicians, Duterte will not be running scared since he will no longer be eligible for reelection.
"There are so many corrupt people. But that’s really what I was thinking. No one dared to bring them down because of fear. Scared of the elections? Well, I’m not running for any position. So what should I be scared about?" Duterte said.
In the same remarks during an assembly on the government's efforts to address the communist insurgency, the President mentioned his conflict with ABS-CBN network and two Metro Manila concessionaires while highlighting his victory against the oligarchs.
Duterte claimed that the owners of these companies have offered public apology after he launched a profanity-laced tirade over their alleged offenses. "If you’re not guilty, why should you apologize?" the President quipped.
The two water companies earlier drew the ire of the President over the alleged onerous provisions of the supply agreement, including passing income taxes to consumers, which he claimed violated the country's graft law. The government later moved to revise the water concession contracts to remove such controversial provisions.
"It was also stipulated that government will pay for their income tax. Kita mo p***** i**. And if they suffer from losses, we will pay for their losses too," the President said.
"That’s why I said, 'Son of a b**** I’ll put all of you in jail.' They have no --- where else could you see a contract like that? That’s Ayala and Pangilinan. I really cursed them in the TV and radio. P***** i** ninyo," he said.
On the ABS-CBN network, Duterte admitted his involvement in the shutdown of the broadcast network over alleged unpaid obligations with the government. He mentioned anew the controversial disposal of the loans made by the Lopez-affiliated companies with the state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines.
"ABS-CBN? I’ll shut you down," he boldly declared.
The Palace previously claimed that the President was neutral in the franchise issue involving the network despite his rants against the network. The Lopez-owned network has ceased the operations of its free television and radio stations after its franchise expired last year.