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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace defends government media coverage of 'newsworthy' PDP-Laban meeting

Palace defends government media coverage of 'newsworthy' PDP-Laban meeting

Published Jul 8, 2021 05:30 pm

Malacañang found nothing wrong with the airing of the meeting of the administration party on a government media station.

According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, state-owned People's Television Channel 4 covers "newsworthy" events like the assembly attended by President Duterte.

Duterte, also chair of the PDP-Laban party, met with several party mates Tuesday to tackle their plans for the upcoming elections, including his possible bid for the vice presidency. The taped remarks of the President and other party leaders were shown on PTV-4 the next day.

"Ang alam ko po, whenever it’s news worthy, it’s covered kasi kung hindi po ma-ii-scoop naman sila. PTV is still a news agency," Roque said during a televised press briefing Thursday, July 8.

"And of course, another example of a news worthy event is the interment of the former Philippine President that was also covered live by PTV 4," he added.

In the meeting, the President announced he was seriously thinking of running for vice president in next year's elections after party leaders encouraged him to join the race.

Duterte admitted though his dilemma of ending up an inutile vice president if the elected president is not his friend. He urged the PDP-Laban party to start the search for a viable standard bearer in the 2022 elections, saying the candidate must not be involved in corruption.

The President also made fresh tirade against Senator Manny Pacquiao, raising the tax evasion case filed against him. Pacquiao, who was not present during virtual PDP-Laban meeting, is rumored to be eyeing the presidency in next year's polls.

The President will end his six-year term next year and is not eligible for reelection. The administration party however has passed a resolution urging him to run for vice president and choose the standard bearer.

READ: Duterte says Bong Go can be an alternative presidential bet

READ: Duterte raises tax evasion complaint vs Pacquiao: ‘When you cheat gov’t, you’re a corrupt officia

Asked if the government offices may be used for partisan activities, Roque declined to comment on the matter. Instead, the Palace official explained that the President cannot separate his duty as president as well as role as PDP-Laban chairman.

"The President has always been chairman of PDP-Laban and there is simply no way to separate the political personality of the President from his functions because halal nga po siya ng taumbayan (he is elected by the people). His position is principally political," he said.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate earlier criticized the use of government resources for the PDP-Laban meeting, saying it was "a partisan political activity."

He said it was "an unabashed display of impunity in using government time and resources." He said two-hour partisan event was "aimed at pandering the whims of Pres. Duterte to escape accountability and extend his tyrannical influence, control and power beyond June 30, 2022."

READ: Opposition solon slams state TV's 'free' two-hour coverage, airing of PDP-Laban meeting

Related Tags

President Duterte government media Malacañang PDP-Laban party PTV-4
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