Philstar.com
June 6, 2016
Duterte ‘boycotts’ media, says no interviews until his term ends
MANILA, Philippines — After being severely beaten in the media for his statement on the killing of journalists, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said he would no longer grant interviews until the end of his term to avoid criticisms and “wrong statements.”
While Philippine journalists are being asked to boycott Duterte’s press conferences until he issues an apology, it seems that the opposite is happening. The next Philippine leader, it appears, is the one staging a boycott of the local media.
“Di na ako talaga… sorry ha, talagang ano ako…boycott talaga…(I won’t grant interviews. Sorry. It’s really a boycott),” Duterte said in a video posted on Monday by TV5 reporter France Noguera.
The interview was conducted Sunday night at the Hotel Elena in Davao City.
Asked until when he would stage his “boycott,” Duterte replied: “Until the end of my term.”
Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte says he will no longer grant interviews to avoid criticisms. AP Photo/Bullit Marquez