Four Presidential aspirants– Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, and Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Sr. gathered in GMA’s ‘The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews’ to face personal issues last Saturday, January 22. 

The special program features a one-on-one interview with the top presidential candidates to aid the public with credible information and introduce the candidates for the upcoming 2022 elections, hosted by one of the Philippines' most credible and multi-awarded broadcast journalists, Jessica Soho.

Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. declined the program’s invitation, calling Jessica Soho biased against the Marcoses, resulting in an absence to the said interview. 

The first segment started with a single question with a 45 seconds limit: What is wrong with us? Ano sa tingin ninyo ang sakit nating mga Pilipino at ano ang gamot for recovery?

Lacson stated that the government is both the problem and solution, while Robredo said that Filipinos do not learn from their past mistakes, which should be an educational lesson. Stubborn Filipinos who do not follow the rules are the country's problem, conveyed Pacquaio, obediency, and unity are the answers. Moreno emphasizes shutting down political dynasties to give an opportunity to others. 

As the interview progressed, Soho asked random personal questions, limiting answers to 15 seconds. Followed by a ‘one photo, one word’ segment where the participants will only answer a word that will describe the projected image. 

Highlighting the program is the fourth segment, the time for the candidates to face controversial issues linked to each of them. Soho prepared questions for the candidates with a 45 seconds time limit, open to additional questions. 

Leni Robredo

“Dapat mayroong mechanism para bigyan ng boses lahat kahit di mo kasundo. ‘Yun yung ating missed opportunity after 2016, na dapat sana after the campaign [last 2016], ay yung mga naka-upo ay nag-extend ng hand para siguraduhin na ‘yung mga hindi kasama sa laban ay nagkaroon ng pagkakaisa”, Robredo explained after a question on how she would unite the Filipinos who does not support her if ever she will win the election.  

Manny Pacquiao 

Soho opened the issue inside Pacquiao’s party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN), “Hindi ninyo napag-isa ang inyong partido, paano ninyo pag-iisahin ang buong bansa kapag kayo ang nanalo?”  

“May mga tao po na gustong buwagin ang partidong PDP, pero ako, pinipigilan ko po na hindi mabuwag dahil ang adbokasiya ng PDP ay para po sa kapakanan ng sambayanang Pilipino. Gusto ko pong magka-isa at gamitin natin sa interes ng mga Pilipino”, Pacquiao answered. 

Ping Lacson

Soho stated that Lacson was mentioned as part of a torture group during the Martial Law in the book “Dark Legacy: Human Rights Under the Marcos Regime” by Alfred Mccoy, “Kasama ba kayo doon sa mga sinsabing nag-torture o diumano’y nang-abuso noong Martial Law? Malinis ba ang inyong mga kamay?”

“Yes, maraming mali doon sa isinulat ni Alfred Mccoy. Nilahat niya ang aming klase, ‘yung class ‘71. Ang hawak ko noon sa MISG ay police intelligence branch, ang akin pong tinututukan ay kriminalidad. Mayroon kaming tinatawag na security branch, ‘yun po yung naghahandle sa mga insurgence, ‘yung mga security issues. Kaya mali po ang kaniyang premise na kasama ako sa mga nag-totorture, hindi po totoo ‘yun.” Lacson denied. 

Isko Moreno

Some Filipinos label Moreno as populist, “And it is not very highly regarded. Ano po ang reaksyon ninyo diyan?”, Soho asked. 

“I respect everybody’s decision, they are entitled to that. What matters most to me is the result. Basta, at the end of the day, there is a goal and there must be a result. Results matter,” Moreno explained. 

After the candidates answered the pressing controversies, raising a placard of ‘yes,’ if they agree or ‘no’ to disagree followed and choosing what they prefer between two things followed. Introducing each candidate’s stance on significant issues. Below is the summarized candidates’ answers: