After missing GMA interviews, Marcos Jr. insists he's not ‘duwag’

Presidential aspirant and former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday insisted he is not a coward following his refusal to join "The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews" over the weekend.

Marcos made the statement as the hashtag #MarcosDuwag trended on Twitter on Friday after GMA News reported that the late dictator's son declined the invitation for a one-on-one interview with veteran journalist Jessica Soho.

"Siguro naman sa pinagdaanan ko sa buhay ko, maliwanag naman na hindi ako duwag na tao," he said in an interview on One PH.

Marcos refused to join the interview with Soho as he accused her of being "biased."

For Marcos, a "biased" media is a media that is "anti-Marcos."

He then insisted that Soho was biased against the Marcoses.

"I know... because of the treatment we receive at her (Soho) hands," Marcos said.

"Pinagbabasehan ko lang 'yong karanasan ko... hindi lang ako, pati na rin 'yong kapatid ko... talagang may bias talaga ang pakiramdam ko kaya't sabi ko kung ganoon na naman ang magiging usapan, wala nang silbi 'yon kasi maliwanag na hindi naman magbabago 'yong opinyon niya so hindi namin mapapag-usapan 'yong para sa aking importanteng pag-usapan," he said.

"Lahat naman hinaharap ko eh basta't ang mahalaga sa akin, pag-usapan natin kung ano ang iniisip, ano ang inaalala, kung ano ang importante sa taong bayan, hindi sa mga pulitiko, hindi sa partido, hindi sa kalaban, hindi sa kakampi. 'Wag na politika ang pinag-uusapan dahil may eleksyon naman tayo," he added.

Marcos said he does not want to talk about issues 35 years ago because those have already been decided.

"What questions are going to be asked that have not been asked and how many answers do you have to give that have not been given before? Nothing's going to change," he said.

GMA Network on Saturday took exception to the statement of the Marcos camp that Soho is supposedly biased against the Marcoses.

The network stressed that throughout her career, Soho has consistently been named the most trusted media personality in the Philippines by both local and foreign organizations.

GMA said Soho boldly asks the presidential candidates important questions such as their intentions behind running for the position, the controversies thrown at them, their stand on pressing issues and their concrete plans should they be elected.

"The questions are tough because the job of the presidency is tough," GMA said.

Other top presidential bets who accepted GMA's invitation were Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.—LDF, GMA News