President-elect Rodrigo Duterte takes a selfie with members of his Cabinet after their first formal meeting in Davao, Tuesday evening. Duterte presented to the media for the first time the members of his Cabinet, whom he called “men of honesty and integrity.”(MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — No media organization will be allowed inside Malacañang’s Rizal Hall for the inauguration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on June 30, because of limited space, incoming Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.
“Yung plano, as of now, dun sa Rizal Hall, ay RTVM ang lead doon,” Andanar said referring to the Radio-Television Malacañang (RTVM), the official videographer of presidential activities.
All other journalists and media workers are permitted to cover at the New Executive Building, the working area for the Malacañang Press Corps.
“Lahat naman ng media bibigyan ng accreditation. Of course, you can monitor it dito sa inyong building sa New Executive Building,” Andanar said.
“Talagang masikip lang talaga sa loob… ng Rizal Hall. Hindi siya ganun kalaki ang espasyo…So, iyong atin namang mga kasamahan sa RTVM ay sanay naman sila sa mga broadcast pool. So, I think you will not have a difficult time,” Andanar added.
Duterte earlier said he will not give the press any interview until the end of his term, after he had a falling out with the media regarding his comments on media killings.
Andanar, however, said he was confident that Duterte will be the “darling of the press” once certain adjustments on both sides are made.
According to the Palace official, close to 200 out of the 500 invited guests for the inauguration were personally invited by Duterte.
Members of the Cabinet and Congress and members the Philippine National Police Cabinet were also invited.
“Lahat na ito. Kaya nga ang pakiusap po ni President-elect Duterte sa amin po mga incoming Cabinet members ay hindi kasama ‘yung aming mga asawa,” Andanar said. (MNS)