Duterte to ABS-CBN: Promote federalism, we’ll settle case

President Rodrigo Duterte has said he was willing to have a compromise with television network ABS-CBN in one condition: promote federalism.

“Kung magtulong kayo diyan sa federal system campaign at gawain ninyong slogan also for the unity and to preserve this republic, makipag-areglo ako,” Duterte said in a speech during the PDP-Laban Christmas Benefit Dinner on Wednesday night.

Duterte had previously threatened to block the renewal of ABS-CBN television’s franchise when it expires on March 30, 2020.

ABS-CBN was now revamping its content strategy to compete with other stations.

“I think the entertainment, lifestyle and news and current affairs will stay, substantially as it is. The sports content will still be there and we’re expanding the sports content. Then there will be some entertainment shows that we will be putting in,” he said.

“It’s not a shutdown situation for ABS-CBN. I think it’s a selective kind of programming. I think it’s the only way for ABS-CBN to compete. The viewing habits for video are slowly changing, so we want to move in the direction rather than stay with the legacy where we are not competitive,” the network said.

He has accused the giant network of estafa for supposedly not providing him the airtime he had paid for during the election period.

During his speech, the President again slammed the Lopezes, which owns ABS-CBN for its supposed debt with the government.

Duterte said he had not forgotten the debt of ABS-CBN but said he was willing to talk and shake hands with the owners of ABS-CBN.

“But kayo, may mali man rin kayo, may utang rin kayo sa gobyerno, do your part and maybe we can talk about it,’ he said.

“I will go to you and say… Wala akong hingiin. Just dedicate a portion of your time, your expensive and precious time on TV, help us promote federalism, only the good ones. But if you think that it is not into your system, fine,” he added.

But said he wasn’t asking for anything but to support his agenda on federalism.

“Pero kung suportahan lang ninyo ang… Kayong mga network, wala kayo. Wala akong hingiin, ‘yan lang. And I said, I’m willing to shake hands with you,’ he said.

Duterte assured he wasn’t asking the giant network to stop its criticisms on corruption.

“You can continue with your criticisms about corruption. Pareho tayo ayaw ng corruption and wrongdoing,’ he said.

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Duterte says he’s willing to settle beef with ABS-CBN if...

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he was willing to enter into a compromise deal with broadcast network ABS-CBN if the company would promote his bid for a shift to a federal form of government.

"Kung magtulong kayo diyan sa federal system campaign at gawain ninyong slogan also for the unity and to preserve this Republic, makipag-areglo ako," Duterte said in a speech at the PDP-Laban's Christmas Benefit Dinner for Marawi at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City.

"Just dedicate a portion of your time, your expensive and precious time on TV, help us promote federalism, only the good ones. But if you think that it is not into your system, fine," he added.

In Malacañang, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte was "inviting media to be his partner in disseminating the benefits of federalism."

"So there will be intensified dissemination activities to explain to the people the need for federalism," Roque said at a press briefing on Thursday.

ABS-CBN has been a frequent target of Duterte's rants, with the President accusing the network of accepting funds from him without airing his political advertisements.

He had also threatened to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, which is set to expire in 2020.

In his speech, Duterte again hit the Lopez Holdings Corp., which controls ABS-CBN, for allegedly not paying its debt to the state-run Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

"DBP, kayong mga negosyante, alam naman ninyo DBP pabangkarote, why? Because the Lopez Group of Companies and their debts were condoned, not paid," Duterte said.

"Kaya ‘wag ninyo ako bolahin mga ABS-CBN...you know he who comes to equity must have clean hands. When you talk of righteousness, be sure that you are right," he added.

Lopez Holdings Corp. earlier said it does not have any unpaid obligations to the DBP or other government financial institutions after Duterte announced on August 30 that he was going after holdings company over supposed debt to the state owned lender.

GMA News Online is still trying to get ABS-CBN's side as of posting time.

12 to 15 major infra projects to roll out in 2018, says NEDA

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board is targeting the approval of 26 projects worth P1-trillion before 2017 ends, a sign of the administration's commitment to rev up its infrastructure program.

So far, 20 projects have been approved, said NEDA during its 2017 year-end briefing. The agency hopes to approve six more projects.

In total, all 26 projects are worth nearly P1-trillion, a figure bigger than the infrastructure programs in previous years.

Among the approved projects are the Clark International Airport expansion project, the Metro Manila Subway project, the Chico River Dam project, and the Mindanao Railway project.

These are among the 12 to 15 projects expected to roll out next year.

NEDA said these projects will help generate jobs for Filipinos who may be displaced in the Middle East as well as the introduction of artificial intelligence mainly in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector next year.

NEDA, however, did not give estimates as to how many new jobs will be created by these 26 projects.

Budget Secretary Ben Diokno earlier said, the Build, Build, Build program is seen creating at least 1 million new jobs every year.

List of 20 approved projects:
1. Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) Phase 1 Tagum – Davao - Digos Segment
2. Malolos - Clark Railway Project (PNR North 2)
3. Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project
4. Clark International Airport (CIA) Expansion Project
5. Education Pathways to Peace in Conflict-Affected Areas of Mindanao (PATHWAYS)
6. Australia Awards and Alumni Engagement Program Philippines
7. Project Approval and Change in Financing of Chico River Pump Irrigation Project
8. New Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Systems Development Project: 30-Month Loan Validity Extension and Reallocation of Funds
9. New Configuration of the LRT Line 1 North Extension Project Common Station / Unified Grand Central Station (North Extension Project)
10. Change in Scope, Cost, and Financing Arrangements for the Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase II
11. Change in Financing of the New Centennial Water Source Kaliwa Dam Project
12. Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP)
13. Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project
14. Binondo - Intramuros and Estrella - Pantaleon Bridges Construction Project
15. Lower Agno River Irrigation System Improvement Project
16. Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility
17. Philippine National Railway-South Line*
18. ADB loan validity extension for the Road Improvement and Institutional Development Project*
19. Increase in cost of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit*
20. Conflict Sensitive Resource and Asset Management (COSERAM) Programme - Financial Cooperation (FC) Measure

Projects pending approval:

1. "Safe Philippines Project" which will be supported by China, this will provide CCTV support, overall command centers for peace and order (under DILG)
2. Improvement of capacity of PH Coast Guard
3. Bridge Construction Acceleration Project of DPWH (between PH and Australia)
4. New Bohol Airport
5. Completion of Circumferential road of Samar Pacific Coastal Project
6. IloIlo irrigation Project (Jalaur Dam) 

Duterte to ABS-CBN: Help promote federalism

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he is willing to compromise with ABS-CBN if the network helps promote his campaign to shift to a federal form of government.

"[P]ero kung magtulong kayo diyan sa federal system campaign at gawain ninyong slogan also for the unity and to preserve this Republic, makipag-areglo ako," he said during his speech at the PDP-Laban's Christmas Benefit Dinner for Marawi at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

"I will go to you and say...Wala akong hingiin. Just dedicate a portion of your time, your expensive and precious time on TV, help us promote federalism, only the good ones," he said.

"But if you think that it is not into your system, fine."

The President again lashed out at ABS-CBN and the Lopez group of companies, accusing the group of not paying its debts to the Development Bank of the Philippines.

"DBP, kayong mga negosyante, alam naman ninyo DBP pabangkarote, why? Because the is the Lopez Group of Companies and their debts were condoned, not paid," he said, without providing further details about the alleged debt.

"Huwag tayong magbolahan dito. If you want to --- lahat tayo may... You expose my wrongs and I will strip you naked in public. Hubaran ko kayo at hubaran ninyo ako. No quarters asked, no quarters given. Kung 'yan ang gusto ninyo. At hindi rin ako gusto maghingi sa inyo ng pabor. Never had," he added.

Duterte made these comments in the context of touting his victories in tax collection, specifically mentioning the recovery of the Mile Long property.

Lopez Holdings Corp earlier said it did not have unpaid debts with the DBP or any government institution. "All debt papers, including those sold by DBP to the were eventually settled by the company," the company said last August.

Duterte has previously attacked ABS-CBN for allegedly failing to air his campaign ads, and for reporting allegations on his bank accounts.

Duterte to Lopezes: If ABS-CBN promotes federalism, I'll shake hands with you

President Rodrigo Duterte has a proposal for ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III: If his television network promotes federalism, Duterte is willing to call it quits.

"Kung magtulong kayo diyan sa federal system campaign at gawain ninyong slogan also for the unity and to preserve the republic, makipag-areglo ako," said Duterte on Wednesday night, December 13, during the PDP-Laban Christmas Benefit Dinner.

(If you can help with the federal system campaign and you make a slogan also for unity and to preserve the republic, I'll make amends with you.)

He said this right after repeating his usual rant against Lopez and the "debt" that the ABS-CBN chairman's family owes the government.

"Just dedicate a portion of your time, your expensive and precious time on TV, help us promote federalism...I'm willing to shake hands with you," said Duterte.

About the Lopezes' "debt," the President stressed he hasn't forgotten about them but he'd be willing to discuss the issue with them.

"But you've done a wrong. You still owe the government. Do your part, maybe we can talk about it," said Duterte.

He gave assurances that he isn't asking for ABS-CBN to stop reporting on corruption or wrongdoing in government.

"You can continue with your criticism about corruption. We both don't like corruption and wrongdoing," said Duterte.

Towards the end of his speech, he seemed to say he was offering his proposal to other networks he has a beef with.

"If you support this, you networks, I won't ask for anything else, that's it," said Duterte.

The previous night, the President had noted that Filipinos appear not to be ready for a shift to a federal form of government, a longtime advocacy of his and among his major campaign promises.

He has long issued threats against the Lopezes and ABS-CBN, starting with his vow to block the TV network's franchise renewal.

For supposedly not airing his political advertisements during the 2016 campaign season, Duterte has also threatened to file multiple estafa charges against the network.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/191299-duterte-lopez-abs-cbn-federalism?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nation

‘Larawan’ features historic La Naval

The last La Naval procession in Intramuros has been recreated in the movie “Ang Larawan,” an official entry to the 2017 MMFF. The La Naval tradition had its roots in Intramuros in Old Manila where the Santo Domingo Church was located prior to the bombing of Manila during World War II.

The La Naval procession is one of the highlights of “Ang Larawan,” which was based on Nick Joaquin’s play “A Portrait Of The Artist As Filipino” and starring Joanna Ampil, Rachel Alejandro and Paulo Avelino. It was for the procession scene that the movie got a grant from the Quezon City Film Development Commission.

Culturtain Musicat Productions executive producer Celeste Legaspi said “We are very blessed and thankful for all their support. But the biggest blessing is that Santo Domingo Church allowed us to use the decades-old image of the Virgin of La Naval which was carefully transported from QC to Intramuros. What viewers will see onscreen is truly a wonderful and breathtaking sight!”

Along with the other 2017 MMFF entries, “Ang Larawan,” co-produced by Harlene Bautista, opens Dec. 25 in cinemas nationwide.

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Showbiz comeback

His name may not ring a bell to some but Kuya E (Neo de Padua) has been in show business in various capacities – as singer, performer and talent coordinator/provider. For a while though his work in showbiz was sidetracked by an illness, the Dreaded C no less. But he is well now prompting him to return to the music scene.

“Yes, I am a cancer survivor, dumaan ako sa isang malaking pagsubok and through faith in God nalagpasan ko naman ito,” Kuya E said.

He will continue his self-imposed mission “to inspire people and promote love in all walks of life.”

His concert “Miracle, Music And Love” is tonight at the Music Museum. Produced by Big Eyes Events and Productions, the concert also features E4 Band, Ani Pearl, Kath Loria, Rapido and Himig Handog 2017 awardee Aikee.

Kuya E also released the song “Ako’y Nangarap.”

Part of Kuya E’s comeback agenda is talk show “RYTS (Rule Yourself To Success)” for airing next month.

Kuya E is known in the business sector as the “Millionaire Maker of MLM Industry in the Philippines.”

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 14, go to CCP Chairman Nick Lizaso, Leo Valdez, Phillip Juico, Nancy Chiongbian, Shielah Martinez, Danilo Clarino, Grace Tapia, Vergel Danaytan, Ryan Palma, Joshua Dionisio, Domingo Pabalate, Atty. Dan de Padua and Mark Herras…Dec. 15: Rosie Castro, Cara Cristobal, Caroline Ortega, Minda Azarcón, Josephine Manuel, Manny Martinez, Jay-O Bonachita, Evelyn Trinidad, Leticia Belen, John Stevens, Nena Santiago, Thelma Velasco, Lita Reyes, Jet Valle, Dianne Landingin, Valeriana Silvania, Oj Mojo,  and Nikki Coseteng…Happy wedding anniversary to Bobby and Ida Joseph…