Karen Davila on Presidential Interviews With Journalists: 'Mas Mahirap Po Magpatakbo ng Pilipinas Kaysa Humarap sa Mamamahayag'

According to ABS-CBN news anchor Karen Davila, it is important for presidential candidates to join interviews. It's in these interviews that voters will fully get to know the character and strengths of the presidentiables which will help in the upcoming elections.

This is why Davila admires multi-awarded GMA-7 News pillar Jessica Soho because she got to interview four candidates at The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews. The four candidates that faced Soho in the taped interview were senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, Manila City mayor Isko Moreno, senator Manny Pacquiao, and vice president Leni Robredo. Soho asked the presidentiables about their platforms, views on the country's problems, and other issues.

Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. was also invited to join the program but he turned down the invitation.

According to attorney Vic Rodriguez, chief of staff and spokesman of Marcos, the reason that the presidential aspirant turned down the interview was because of Soho's alleged "[bias] against [the] Marcoses." In his statement, he also added that a "mere appearance on a show" won't be able to measure his abilities as a leader.

In a tweet, Davila said: "Reading Jessica Soho’s Pres Intrvws via @inquirerdotnet. KUDOS Maam Jess! The questions centered on revealing the true character of the candidate. Kaya po mahalaga na mag-pa interview sa mga mamamahayag. Mas mahirap po magpatakbo ng Pilipinas kaysa humarap sa mamamahayag"

She added, "The presidency is not only about competence & vision but also about character. Interviews with journalists help peel the layers for voters to get to know candidates. Bawat mamamahayag, may kanya kanyang istilo ng pagtatanong at nakakatulong lahat ito sa pagpili kung sino iboboto."

Davila also brought up criticisms against her in 2016 when she was accused of being biased by Duterte's supporters for asking certain questions. She said that it was her job to ask the tough questions.

"Candidates must remember - when journalists ask ‘tough or hard’ questions, they are doing the public good. We don’t go home personally hating a candidate. Trabaho lang. The Presidency is no joke. The country & our children’s future is at stake," she said.

From: PEP.ph