Palace clarifies Duterte interview was interview with impersonator

By Arjay L. Balinbin

MALACAÑANG’S News and Information Bureau (NIB)-Transcription Section on Monday, March 19, erred when it released an official transcript of a radio interview supposedly of President Rodrigo R. Duterte who turned out to be his impersonator, DZRH’s Bicol correspondent Jun Alegre.

The transcript emailed to Palace reporters at 11:13 a.m. Monday was titled “Interview with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte by Deo Macalma, Rica Herra, Isyu/DZRH.”

Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” T. Go was a studio guest while Mr. Duterte’s impersonator was on the telephone.

“Mr. President, sir magandang umaga. Pasensiya na po at nandito muna si Secretary Bong Go,” said Mr. Macalma. (Mr. President, good morning. Our apologies, Secretary Go is with us now.)

Mr. Alegre, who was impersonating the President, said he supports Mr. Go in his possible Senatorial bid.

“Itaas na ninyo ang kamay niyan. Itinaas ko na ang kamay niyan,” Mr. Alegre said. (You raise his hand. I already raised his hand).

Mr. Go, who went along with the interview, responded: “Janitor lang muna ako. Wag muna nating pag-usapan iyong senator. Magpaiwan muna akong janitor, kasi mas maganda iyong janitor, all around tayo at puwede tayong makatulong, all-around utility man.” (I will just be a janitor. Let’s not talk about senator. I’m okay with being a janitor. It’s better being a janitor. All around, I can help. I’m an all-around utility man.)

At 1:22 p.m., the News and Information Bureau emailed an erratum to media.

“The transcription titled ‘Interview with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’ by Deo Macalma and Rica Herra over DZRH on March 19, 2018 should read ‘Interview with Impersonator of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.’ Apologies for the error-NIB Transcription Section.”