Group sees ‘crony’ takeover of ABS-CBN

MANILA, Philippines — A labor group sees President Duterte’s threats against water companies and television network ABS-CBN as part of a supposed plan to favor his cronies and build a financial base for his political coalition in the 2022 elections.

“The administration is attacking the owners of Maynilad, Manila Water, ABS-CBN and others. Duterte’s intention is not to empower the workers or the state vis-à-vis these oligarchs, but only to replace them with his own set of oligarchs,” National Confederation of Labor chairman Ernie Arellano said in a statement yesterday.

Duterte had earlier said he was not in favor of renewing the television network’s franchise.

He even advised ABS-CBN owners to just sell the network, whose license is set to expire in March.

Arellano said the President is “emboldened by investments of local capitalists who serve as dummies of financiers from China, who will provide ready cash for take-overs when the franchises of the water and media utilities expire.”