‘GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT’ | Duterte boasts of exposing oligarchy as his proudest legacy

June 9, 2021 , 04:08 PM

(June 9, 2021) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday took pride in exposing the oligarchy as his “greatest achievement” while serving as the country’s leader.

Duterte, whose campaign in 2016 was backed by big business people, took a swipe at Manila Water, which he accused of taking advantage of the government through onerous contracts implemented more than two decades ago. He previously threatened economic sabotage charges against Manila Water and fellow private water firm Maynilad.

Both companies have since agreed to a revised concession agreement as they terminated their legal actions against the government. Both companies also approved a tariff freeze until the end of 2022.

“I’m ready for retirement. But if you ask me what is my greatest achievement, in a very humble way, I exposed the oligarchy in the Philippines,” said Duterte in an interview with controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

Duterte, however, didn’t remain very humble for long as he quickly boasted of “scaring” oligarchs, who according to him, have been given too many concessions by past administrations.

“Kung mayroon man akong maipagyabang is ‘yung oligarchs na binibigyan ng kapangyarihan na sobra-sobra—walang corporate tax, tayo magbayad. Malugi sila, tayo magbayad. At least ngayon, takot na sila,” said Duterte, while also mentioning the Ayala family and First Pacific Company Limited chief Manny V. Pangilinan.

It’s not the first time Duterte openly castigated oligarchs. In a speech last year, he proudly claimed to have “dismantled” the oligarchy, days after the House of Representatives killed the franchise renewal bid of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.

Lawmakers allied with Duterte denied he had a hand in their decision to shut down the media company owned by the Lopez family. But Duterte’s comments have implied otherwise.

“Ang Congress is planning to restore the franchise of the Lopezes. Wala akong problema doon. But if you say that they can operate kung may (permit na), no, I will not allow them,” said Duterte last February.

Duterte’s tough words against oligarchs, however, may not apply to all as he fosters a strong relationship with some of the biggest business people in the country who helped him in his electoral campaign.

Davao business tycoon Dennis Uy, who donated P30 million to Duterte’s presidential bid, has strengthened his hold in the telecommunications market with the entry of DITO Telecommunity. Duterte has renewed its franchise for 25 years.

Former Davao City Rep. Antonio Floirendo, his biggest campaign donor with P75 million, chaired the Davao-based Anflo Management and Investment Corporation. Samuel Uy of Davao Farms and Lorenzo Te of Honda Cars Davao, meanwhile, each provided P30 million for Duterte’s successful campaign.

Duterte also bared last December that San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang donated “not a lot but not too little” to his presidential run.

Last July, Duterte admitted in a public speech in Sulu that he wants his “helpful” friends to get richer in what many critics called a form of double standard coming from a person who claims to despise oligarchs.

“Happy na ako sa buhay ko. But I want you to get rich. But we have to talk because there is so much that we can do business,” said Duterte. “Tayo ang mag-usap. Kung yayaman ka, mas maligaya ako. Kaibigan kita eh.”

(Beatrice Puente/PM)

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