Duterte said that he has no resentment towards media and he can take criticism as long as it corresponds with the truth.
Manila, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte said that he has no resentment towards media and he can take criticism as long as it corresponds with the truth. “Go ahead, criticize me. I’m just your worker,” he claimed in his meeting with The Star yesterday that almost last an hour. It was the first time that the President allow to be exclusively interviewed by media since he accepted the presidency and he then announced that he would no longer give any interviews until his term will end.
Duterte cited that it is not true that he has resentment with the media. The president has had a mixed feeling towards media. He is known for his frankness and repetitive press briefing and decided to boycott the media in June. He gave a statement on a press conference in Davao City that those slain journalist were involved in a dubious activity. Duterte was enrage because of the call of Paris-based reporters to boycott his press briefings until he released an apology.
Duterte cited “huwag tayong magbolahan (let’s not fool each other). He stressed that there are opportunist trying to pretend as journalist just to make money out of extortion and will be glorified when they are being suppressed. “Go ahead, boycott me. As a matter of fact, I’m urging you to make this your last (press briefing) in Davao City,” he said last June 2, 2016 and announced that he would no longer give any interview until the end of his term to avoid any “wrong statement.”
However, the threat did not carried out when he decided to hold a press conference in Malacanang last Monday. Duterte was in good mood during the press briefing and showed that he is more willing to entertain any questions from the press. The reporter was even allowed to take selfies with Duterte that shows the progress on the relationship of the media and the President.