On Wednesday, January 26, Boy Abunda’s way of interviewing during his one-on-one talk with incumbent Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo led to a mix of reactions from personalities and netizens.
On numerous occasions during the interview, the talk show host had interrupted Robredo while answering.
At one point, Abunda interrupted the Vice President while answering the question on sustainable mining.
“VP, yun ang sinasabi nating madalas. I spoke to some people who are involved in the mining industry. They always say na pinangangalagaan naman nila ang mga displaced na IPs, nagbibigay kami ng trabaho, we make sure na we don’t pollute their rivers na kabaliktaran dahil ito ang reklamo ng mga environmental defenders,” Abunda interrupted.
Robredo proceeded to explain, but in the middle of her answer, she was again cut off by the host.
Kapamilya broadcast journalist Jervis Manahan had to “remind” the host of the basic rules in interviewing.
Basic skill in interviews: Listen to understand, not to butt in, not to ask the next question, not to interrupt.
— Jervis Manahan (@JervisManahan) January 26, 2022
Ash Presto, a Twitter personality, pointed out that he interrupted and interrogated Robredo the most compared to Abunda’s previous interviews with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sen. Ping Lacson.
Sorry, I tried very hard to be objective about this, but it is undeniable that Boy Abunda is interrupting and forcefully probing Leni Robredo more than he did Ping Lacson and Bongbong Marcos.#BoyAbundaInterviews
— Ash Presto 💜 (@sosyolohija) January 26, 2022
Blogger Chikkaness Avenue was also not comfortable with Abunda trying to press his ideals to Robredo.
Nakaka-happy na madaming manonood…hindi lng mga supporters, kundi pati yung mga ayaw sa kanya…and I believe that's very much OK…
Medyo hindi lng ako comfortable watching na pinipilit ni tito Boy yung punto niya despite the answers of VP Leni… pic.twitter.com/E5vc8cCyJP
— The Chikkaness (@ChikkanessAve) January 26, 2022
Pia Magalona agreed that the host should not have interrupted his guest, but it came out positively since it highlighted how Robredo’s thought process was concrete.
My observation is because her sensible answers lead to more conversation. He shouldn’t interrupt her, but allow her to finish her thoughts instead. It’s great tho so that more viewers can see her thought process. 🙌🏼💕🌸#LeniAngatSaLahat https://t.co/buHhL9mUHk
— Pia Magalona ⁷ (@piamagalona) January 26, 2022
But not everyone did not like the constant interruption.
The manner of Abunda was assumed to be his way of “cornering” Robredo. Unfortunately, he failed.
https://twitter.com/Gabcdefghijklm/status/1486284409804554246?s=20
Gideon Peña pointed out that Abunda was challenged by Robredo’s intellect and felt the need to keep up with her.
Kapag magaling yung kausap mo, you have this insatiable urge na makipagsabayan.
— Gideon V. Peña (@attygideon) January 26, 2022
Journalist Thea Alberto-Masakayan criticized Abunda’s “commercials” and said, “Sa presscon kakalbuhin ka ng iba ‘pag singit ka nang singit habang nade-deliver ng soundbyte ang source.”
Nauubos ang oras. Sa presscon kakalbuhin ka ng iba pag singit ka ng singit habang nagdedeliver ng soundbyte ang source.
— Thea Alberto-Masakayan (@TheaAlberto) January 26, 2022
On the topic of pornography, a Twitter personality did not like Abunda’s repetitive manner.
Paulit-ulit sa control si Boy Abunda. Hindi niya ma-gets ang point ni VP Leni about shielding minors sa pornographic contents on social media.🙄
— Nherz Jane (@nherzjane) January 26, 2022
Radio host DJ Chacha poked fun at the host’s constant interruption as she wrote, “Pakibigyan din po ng timer yung bato ng mga tanong ni Tito Boy para diretso tanong na wala na madaming eme eme para ‘ti tayo mapuyat mas’yado charr.”
Pakibigyan din po ng timer yung bato ng mga tanong ni Tito Boy para diretso tanong na wala na madaming eme eme para di’ tayo mapuyat masyado 🤣 Charrrr
— DJ Chacha (@_djchacha) January 26, 2022
She also laughed at a netizen’s reaction who considered Abunda the one being interviewed.
HOOOOY tawang tawa ko HAHAHA https://t.co/ee0KdBDsVr
— DJ Chacha (@_djchacha) January 26, 2022
Meanwhile, the composure of Robredo during the pressure that Abunda was putting received applause from other Twitter personalities.
Glued to Boy Abunda’s interview of Leni Robredo. Compared to the Jessica Soho interview, Leni sounds more confident, appears ready to govern as president, & talks like a leader who our people can embrace. She’s glowing in pink! #LeniAngatSaLahat
— Cleve V. Arguelles (@CleveArguelles) January 26, 2022
In fer, kahit china-"challenge" ni Tito Boy si VP Leni by "interrupting" her, nakakarating pa rin siya sa gusto niyang tumbukin. Ganyan pag malinaw ang mga plano, plataporma at hangarin.
— Miss France Sajorda (@PrincessFrance) January 26, 2022
The interviews, however, were not envisioned by Abunda to be a debate format. He stressed earlier on January 23 that he aims just to ask questions and not act like a journalist.
“It’s very challenging. It’s very daunting… I leave it to the journalists. Wala naman akong ilusyon na ako ay journalist. I am an interviewer. I don’t know if people would understand that, but… I am an inquisitor. I interview people, I ask questions,” Abunda said.
Meanwhile, KBP member-networks (ABS-CBN, TV5/One News, CNN Philippines, DZRH, Bombo Radyo) will be holding their very own presidential forum on February 4 to be moderated by broadcast journalists Karen Davila and Rico Hizon.
