Mediamen were told that the President and his party will be holding a press conference after the picture taking with the new members of the Liberal Party.
In fact, the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) set up the sound system and video cameras, and arranged the seats in the area designated for the media.
Local and national TV stations also set up their equipments for the coverage of the supposed presscon of the President and his party.
However, the President after coming out of the venue immediately boarded the presidential car to the surprise and dismay of the members of the fourth estate who have been waiting for almost 30 minutes.
There was even no chance for the media to conduct an ambush interview as there was no notice that the press conference was called off.
The President who passed by the waiting media and waved as his car was speeding off, elicited boos and heckles from the group.
Some said that if the President had no more time to make it, at least he could have sent someone to the media area – either DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo or Senator Franklin Drilon or DOTC Secretary Max Roxas to address the questions of the press.
Arman Toga, president of the Negros Press Club, said the President should have given the media a little time because they have waited for him.
"Based on my observation, both local and national media colleagues were dismayed with what happened. I was given a slot to be able to ask the President any question and I was planning to ask him why he (castigated) the media during the recent Philippine Press Institute (PPI) forum in Manila…. I'd like the President to specify what made him say media is unfair in reporting. Even if he was already late for his next schedule last Saturday, at least someone from Malacañang should have faced the waiting media people to explain and maybe ask for an apology," Toga, a former PPI Trustee for Visayas, said.
May 21,2013 12:50 AM
May 21,2013 12:48 AM
May 21,2013 12:44 AM
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