Ex-Pres. Duterte wants to talk to Marcos on SMNI probe

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 7) — Former president Rodrigo Duterte said he wants to «indirectly» talk to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. about the investigation into the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) that airs his program.

In a press conference on Saturday, Duterte said he wants to ask why his program «Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa» was affected because he does not recall «severely» criticizing anyone in the government.

«Kasi nadali ang Gikan sa Masa (My 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 is that?),» Duterte said. «As far as I am concerned, I have not crucified him, not even criticized him severely, maybe commented on the directions of the government.»

«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.

Malacañang on Sunday said the former president may always reach out to Marcos.

«President Marcos is always available to former President Duterte. The President will contact him now to ask if he wants a meeting,» Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said without disclosing details.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Dec. 21 issued an order suspending the broadcast operations of SMNI for 30 days for alleged violations of its franchise.

The SMNI last week sought the inhibition of regulators in the administrative complaint against the network on the grounds of unfair bias.

One of the two SMNI shows that the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) ordered to be discontinued was "Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa," following complaints over the episode where Duterte aired a death threat against ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro.

Duterte said he wants to help his spiritual adviser Apollo Quiboloy, the honorary chairman of SMNI.

«Ang aking concern karon (My only concern) is to help my friend, si pastor (Quiboloy), kay sa tinuod lang (because to be honest), the NTC, they have not come up with even an allegation, a charge of any wrongdoing. Ang Sonshine, has always been