Ferdinand Marcos Jr. campaigning in Occidental Mindoro. (Photo from his Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. doesn’t see himself as having a spokesperson if he should win as president, saying he would rather face the media himself.
“I think I won’t appoint a spokesman. I will face the media,” Marcos said, speaking in a mix of English and Filipino, in an interview with CNN Philippines that aired on Tuesday.
“I don’t understand why a president has a spokesman. A president is capable of explaining anything. So that’s how it will be,” he added.
He noted, however, that a press secretary might be needed to conduct regular media briefings, especially on urgent issues.
At the moment, however, Marcos seemed reluctant to be near media. During campaign rallies, human barricades, along with his security personnel, cordon off reporters, making it hard for them to do ambush interviews with the presidential candidate.
At times, reporters covering his campaign are met with silence while attempting to get a response from him in an ambush interview.
We tried to ask Marcos about President Rodrigo Duterte calling out the BIR over uncollected estate tax. Either he refused to answer or we were not heard. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/V7eKhbSOla
— Neil Arwin Mercado (@NAMercadoINQ) March 30, 2022
In some instances, the media are able to sneak in questions for Marcos, such as when he was asked about his plans regarding the Marawi rehabilitation project.
Marcos Jr. visited Marawi City earlier today. We ask him: Will you prioritize Marawi rehab if elected?
He says: “Ginagawa na yun… Tinatapos na ni Pangulo Duterte.”
The Task Force Bangon Marawi has said that the rehab program will only be “90-95 percent” done by June 30. pic.twitter.com/SgBwAX3OJe
— Neil Arwin Mercado (@NAMercadoINQ) March 31, 2022
Marcos, nonetheless, denied that it was hard to catch an ambush interview with him.
“I don’t know why they’re saying that I’m hard to get into an ambush interview. I’m always out in public,” Marcos said.
“Of course, we’re doing something else also, but I don’t know why they say that because as I said, I can’t really go into hiding. I am always out in public,” he added.
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