Former president Duterte wants an ‘indirect’ word with PBBM regarding suspended show

Former President Rodrigo Duterte said he would like to "indirectly" speak with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the probe into the Sonshine Media Network International, which used to broadcast the former's show.

In an interview with Davao-based reporters late Saturday evening, Duterte said he would like to know why his program "Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa" was impacted because he does not remember that he was "severely" criticizing any government official.

"Kasi nadali ang Gikan sa Masa (The show was affected). I do not want to confront the president, but rather, I'd like to talk to him indirectly, kung bakit ganoon (why it happened). I have not crucified him, not even criticized him severely, maybe commented on the directions of the government," the former president said.

"I don't know if I strayed along the courteous path, hindi (not) correct, but courteous. I cannot remember criticizing severely anybody there in government," he added.

In response, Malacañang said Marcos is always open to talking with the former president.

"President Marcos is always available to former President Duterte. The president will contact him now to ask if he wants a meeting," Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil told Palace reporters in a Viber message.

However, the Palace official did not mention further details regarding the meeting.

The National Telecommunications Commission issued an order on 21 December suspending SMNI's broadcast activities for 30 days due to purported franchise violations.

SMNI is a broadcasting arm of Quiboloy's Kingdom of Jesus Christ, owned and run by Swara Sug Media Corporation.

Last week, SMNI requested that regulators be inhibited in their administrative complaint against the network on the grounds of undue bias.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board ordered the cancellation of two SMNI shows, including "Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa."

The allegations stemmed from an episode in which Duterte made a death threat against Rep. France Castro, a member of the ACT Teachers party list.

Duterte said that he does not support the NTC's move and that the broadcasting corporation has done "nothing wrong" since SMNI has "always been careful."

The former president also noted that he wanted to help SMNI's honorary chairman Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who also served as his spiritual adviser.

"Ang akong concern karon (My only concern) is to help my friend, si Pastor (Quiboloy), kay sa tinuod lang (because to be honest), kining NTC ba, wala man sila'y nakit-an (NTC have not seen anything), they have not come up with any allegations or charge of any wrongdoing", Duterte said.

"Ang Sonshine has always been careful. I'm just biding my time. One of these days siguro, I'll come up with a statement, not necessarily defending Pastor Quiboloy, but just to say something about the way things are, and it would mean Pastor Quiboloy, or anybody for that matter," Duterte added.

The former president also mentioned that he had not seen any proper procedure being followed, adding that he just did what he could do since his show was also affected.