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Philippines

Bongbong to skip CNN PH's presidential debate, plans to attend Quiboloy-ran SMNI's instead

Philippines

Bongbong to skip CNN PH's presidential debate, plans to attend Quiboloy-ran SMNI's instead

By Joseph Pedrajas

Frontrunning Presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos will not attend yet another presidential debateâ€”this time the one to be hosted by CNN Philippines on Feb. 27.

This was confirmed by Marcos Jr.'s spokesman, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, after the network reported on Monday, Feb. 14 that Marcos Jr. declined the event due to conflict of schedule.

"Yes we have declined the invitation of CNN Philippines," Rodriguez said in a text message.

But the lawyer did reveal that Marcos Jr. will attend a debate on Tuesday, Feb. 15, to be hosted by SMNI, the broadcasting arm of Kingdom of Jesus Christ church. The church is led by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who had publicly endorsed Marcos Jr.'s candidacy in the May 2022 polls.

On Feb. 4, Marcos Jr. skipped the presidential forum hosted by the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) for a one-on-one interview with broadcaster Korina Sanchez.

He also refused to grant Jessica Soho's recent The Presidential Interview because the veteran journalist was supposedly biased against him.

But Rodriguez said, "We have submitted to the presidential forum hosted by DZRH and DZBB (GMA-7)."

Other interviews attended by Marcos Jr. were those hosted or aired by TV host Boy Abunda and radio station DWIZ.

Rodriguez bared in an ANC interview on Feb. 9 that Marcos Jr. is not keen on attending presidential interviews or forums that will only engage the participants in a "debate" or argument.

He said they would prefer an interview over a debate.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos CNN Philippines 21422 presidential debate skip

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