Palace: No intention for Duterte to snub Kris Aquino

MANILA, Philippines – There was no intention for President Rodrigo Duterte to “snub” television host Kris Aquino during the Go Negosyo Summit on Friday, November 11, Malacañang said Sunday, November 13.

“No, there was no intention to snub Kris Aquino,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said during an interview on radio dzRB Sunday.

The Go Negosyo event was supposed to be the first time Aquino – youngest sister of former President Benigno Aquino III and was a staunch supporter of defeated presidential candidate Mar Roxas – would be interviewing Duterte after his historic election victory last May. (READ: Kris Aquino to Duterte after interview no-show: Give me a chance)

However, at the last minute, Duterte was absent, blaming migraine.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez told the audience of around 500 entrepreneurs that the migraine could be a result of fatigue after Duterte’s packed schedule, notably his visits to Thailand and Malaysia. (INSIDE TRACK: Migraine? Duterte attended 2 other events on day of Kris interview)

Andanar said that they knew the President was set to attend, and that was why the “entire Presidential Communications Office contingent” was in the event, held at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

He said that despite the President’s absence, the “whole force” of the government supporting the program was there in the event.

“The alter ego of the President at the Department of Trade and Industry, Secretary Mon Lopez is there, he’s the one who spoke on behalf of the President. Kris Aquino was there. [Go Negosyo’s] Joey Concepcion was there. Government agencies that are responsible to cover the President were present,” Andanar noted.

“So there was really no intention to snub Kris Aquino,” he reiterated. “The whole force of the government supporting the program, then you just read between the lines, that it is supported by the government. It just so happened that the President was not feeling well.”

Aquino’s sit-down with her brother’s successor would have been her comeback to television after a 7-month break.

When asked if the interview will be rescheduled, Andanar said: “Anything, anything is a possibility. Everything is a possibility. The planned interview with Kris Aquino was, was on the board at least a month before.” – Rappler.com