Televised têtê-a-têtê between Duterte, Panelo moved to Jan. 28

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the 85th Anniversary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) at The Forum of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Grounds in Pasay City on December 6, 2018. (PCOO Photo)

MANILA – The second televised têtê-a-têtê between President Rodrigo Duterte and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo has been moved to Jan. 28, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

The one-on-one interview between Duterte and Panelo, which was initially scheduled on Jan. 22, has been rescheduled due to “pressing matters,” the Palace said in an advisory sent to Palace reporters.

“Due to pressing matters, the tête-à-tête Part 2 of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo has been moved to January 28, 2020 at the Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace at 5:00 p.m.,” the media advisory read.

Panelo’s first têtê-a-têtê with the President was in September 2018.

Sought to react to his postponed one-on-one interview with the Chief Executive, Panelo said: “He (Duterte) didn’t elaborate (on) what pressing matters are.”

In a text message, Duterte’s former special aide and incumbent Senator Christopher Lawrence Go said the “pressing matters” have something to do with “family.”

Go, however, did not provide additional details.

Panelo’s scheduled têtê-a-têtê interview with Duterte at Palace’s Rizal Hall was expected to tackle various issues concerning the country and affecting national interest.

On Jan. 16, Panelo said the President was prompted to hold another televised interview following the supposed presence of a “serial rapist” in Quezon.

The President was “infuriated” over the rape cases in Quezon province, Panelo said.

Ricardo Burce, a man accused of raping and killing an eight-year-old girl in Candelaria, Quezon, was found dead inside his detention cell on Jan. 15.

Candelaria police said Burce could have died in his sleep since there were no external injuries found on the body.