The camp of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 22 cited the alleged lack of objectivity of popular GMA -7 host Jessica Soho as the reason behind the decision of the former senator not to join her new television program - Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews.
“The reason why Bongbong Marcos decided not to join the Jessica Soho show is founded on our belief that the hostess of said popular talk show is biased against the Marcoses, and therefore, we believe her questions will just focus on negativity about BBM which the UniTeam dislike and will not subscribe as it hopes that the discourse in any forum about this coming elections must focus on how the aspiring presidents will solve our country’s lingering problems caused by the Covid19 pandemic and what their plans are for our country to roll up from economic stagnation,” lawyer Victor Rodriguez, Marcos chief of staff and campaign spokesman, said in a press statement.
Marcos and four other presidential aspirants were invited to the program for their consistent high ranking in poll surveys.
Expected to be present in the broadcast debut tonight of Soho’s program were Vice President Leni Robredo, Aksyon Demokratiko’s Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso; Partido Reporma chairman Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and PROMDI bet Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
Soho, a multi-awarded broadcast journalist, and her network has yet to air their side on the BBM camp’s accusation.
Further explaining the reasons for Marcos skipping the interview, Rodriguez said: “These and other equally important aspects of an aspirant‘s preparedness to lead, ability to govern and capability to be president cannot be tested by his mere appearance on a show that has been perceived by us and our supporters as having previously displayed a preconceived judgement against the Marcoses.” “We believe, though, that this 2022 elections could be the most important elections in our lifetime where candidates like presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos should be expected to present what his programs and plans are for the country to move forward with his economic plans, vision on education and digital infrastructure, employment creation, ensuring food security through a robust agriculture, how to bring the cost of power more affordable and all the way to our national sovereignty,” Rodriguez explained.
“Presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos duty is to the Filipino people and not to a particular tv show or program host,” the Marcos camp spokesman stressed.
He added: “We will continue with our way of communicating direct to the people in so many equally significant shows, platforms and forums where all the attendees are allowed to present their visions, plans and platforms freely, unfiltered and unhindered by any biases.”