- Jollibee denied reports its owner and founding chairman is supporting any candidate
- The popular company maintained it remains ‘apolitical’ and do not support any agenda
- Jollibee was reacting to reports that Mr. Tony Tan Caktiong is supporting Mayor Duterte’s bid
MANILA, Philippines – Jollibee has denied reports that the company or its owner is supporting a presidential candidate in the coming May elections.
In a statement sent to Kicker Daily, Jollibee said the popular fastfood company and its founder and chairman, Tony Tan Caktiong, remains apolitical, and as such, does not support or endorse any candidate, organization or agenda.
Earlier, it was reported that Mr. Tan Caktiong has finally thrown his support behind the candidacy of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as cited by columnist Rey Arcilla of Malaya Business Insight.
Arcilla said in his column dated March 29 that Caktiong’s support of Duterte could spell bad news for the mayor’s four other rivals.
“Billionaire Tony Tan Caktiong, who is from Davao and is the owner of the now world famous fast food chain Jollibee, has just declared his support for the Davao Mayor!” Arcilla wrote on March 29.
Arcilla suggested Jollibee’s loyal patrons across the country could make the difference for Duterte in the coming national election if they are to be swayed with the fastfood owner’s personal choice; although this could not be guaranteed given the unpredictable behavior of Filipino voters
“With the millions of loyal Jollibee customers around the country, Tan Caktiong’s endorsement is certainly a tremendous boost to Hizzoner Duterte’s winning ways,” he pointed out.
However, Jollibee denied all these.
“Both the company and Mr. Tan Caktiong are all for fair, clean and honest elections this coming May 2016,” the statement read.
It added: “Jollibee’s thrust as company, then and now, is to continue spreading joy to the Filipino people through our langhap-sarap offerings and joyful bonding moments.”
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