By Monica Condrillon

PHOTO: Screengrab from INQUIRER.net

President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. 's first press-briefing after his proclamation on Thursday had questions raised when only selected media networks namely NET25, SMNI, and GMA were given invitations to the said interview.

This after his camp issued a media advisory that the BBM Media Center in Mandaluyong would still be closed on May 26, but later on shocked the media with the announcement of a press-conference to be live-streamed on his Facebook page the very same day.

“It doesn't mean we intend, or have intended to exclude anyone,” says Marcos’ spokesperson Atty. Vic Rodriguez.

"Ang tanging kadahilanan lamang kung bakit nagpaunlak si Pres. Bongbong Marcos, sapagkat ito yung media commitment na binigay ng aming media team sa 3 network noong kampaniya," he further explained.

Rodriguez also noted that prior to the election, these three networks have previously asked for a one-on-one interview with Marcos if he wins the presidential race.

“And if you may have noticed, we did not do it ng one-on-one, we want to be fair at pinagsasabay-sabay na natin ‘yung tatlong networks na noon pa man ay nagpahayag ng kanilang interest,” he added.

NET25 is run by Iglesio ni Cristo which can be remembered having a leader that endorsed the candidacy of the Marcos-Duterte tandem, same goes to SMNI that is owned by fugitive preacher Apollo Quiboloy.

Marcos talked about his incoming Cabinet appointments, the West Philippine Sea dispute, the country’s agricultural sector, and some issues involving fiscal policy and foreign affairs.

However, concerns such as his contempt order in the United States, their family’s pending court cases, and their unpaid P203 billion estate taxes were not raised.

Also present in the dictator's son's press briefing is his appointed Press Secretary, lawyer-vlogger Trixie Criz Angeles, who had previously sought the arrest and detention of the Marcos matriarch.


Copyedited by Kyla Balatbat