MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has softened on the country big businessmen, whom he has been calling oligarchs, after they poured billions of pesos to support government efforts to fight coronavirus disease 2019, presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said yesterday. “I want to put context why the President has forgiven oligarchs such as the Ayalas and the MVP (Manuel V. Pangilinan) Group of Companies,” Roque said. Roque explained that the President has given specific instructions to pursue the filing of charges against these big companies. Based on initial information, the MVP Group has poured P6.5 billion in aid related to COVID-19 efforts. The amount is different from the concessions fee and taxes that reached more than P20 billion, Roque said.

Source: Philippine Star July 16, 2020 15:56 UTC