Columnist Alex Magno of the Philippine Star claimed that journalist Jessica Soho of GMA-7 interviewed presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in 2016.
A reader asked VERA Files to verify the authenticity of Magno’s claim. It is false.
STATEMENT
In his Jan. 27 column, Magno cited instances when past presidential candidates declined to participate in interviews or debates, such as the late Fernando Poe Jr. and then-senator Benigno Simeon Aquino III, amid criticisms against Marcos Jr. for declining interviews. He said:
“No one remembered that when Marcos submitted to a Jessica Soho interview in 2016, the venue was filled with LP supporters who heckled his every answer.”
Magno, who served as board director at the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, added:
“Nor did anyone bother to check the audience turnout. According to YouTube, the Jessica Soho-Leni episode has garnered 76 thousand views. By contrast, the Boy Abunda-BBM episode has 3.6 million views and (is) running.”
Source: Alex Magno, ”First Person” Column entitled “Pageant” on the Philippine Star, Jan. 27, 2022 (archive)
FACT
Contrary to Magno’s claim, Soho did not interview Marcos Jr. in 2016 when he was then running for vice president, according to GMA-7.
Read the full story on VERA Files Fact Check.
