PRESIDENT Duterte took on a new role over the weekend, hosting his own talk show to introduce to the public some of the candidates running in the 2022 elections and help voters choose the next leaders of the country.
With the program titled as “The President’s Chatroom,” Duterte holds one-on-one interviews with senatorial candidates, asking about their platforms and what they intend to do if they win the election. He also shares with them his opinion about what makes them a good candidate.
Communications Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said “The President’s Chatroom” aims to introduce certain senatorial candidates and their platforms to a wider Filipino audience.
The President previously said that apart from his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is running for vice president, he would not endorse anyone to avoid being accused of using government funds to campaign for anyone. He said he would remain neutral in the presidential race.
For the initial broadcast of “The President’s Chatroom” last Saturday, Duterte interviewed Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan senatorial bets Greco Belgica and Rodante Marcoleta.
On Sunday, PTV aired Duterte’s interview with Harry Roque and Robin Padilla, while PTV will air the Gregorio Honasan, Astra Pimentel, and Salvador Panelo interview on Monday night. Padilla, Pimentel and Panelo are all from PDPD-Laban while Roque and Honasan are from the UniTeam of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and vice-presidential bet Sara Duterte- Carpio.
Describing Belgica as a “crusader” who insists on what is right and Marcoleta as a “man of integrity” who is not scared of oligarchs and their money, Duterte said the two would be an asset if they win as senators.
The President’s Chatroom is an offshoot of “The Chatroom,” a series of one-on-one interviews with presidential and vice-presidential candidates aired in the government’s PTV4 channel every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
