MANILA, Philippines - "My job is to ask the hard questions."
Thus said Karen Davila on her viral television interview with actress and senatorial aspirant Alma Moreno.
On Monday, netizens went abuzz over Davila's interview with Alma on her ANC morning program "Headstart with Karen Davila" which aired last week.
READ: Netizens abuzz over Alma Moreno's 'awkward' interview with Karen Davila
The interview, which tackled her senatorial bid, was deemed "awkward" and "uncomfortable" by viewers online due to Alma's answers to question regarding reproductive health and her advocacy on women.
"Kailangan ko pa ba sagutin?" Alma said when asked about her "yes, with reservations" stance on the reproductive health bill.
When asked how people should practice "control" regarding reproduction, Alma joked: "Kailangan palaging bukas ang ikaw."
When the interview went viral, netizens used Karen's Instagram account to express their opinion on the controversial "Headstart" episode.
One netizen commented:
Kahit ako pag may interview at on the spot, hindi ko kakayanin. May mga tao kasi na mas magaling sa written, pwede mong i-edit lang. Wala bang interview questions na binibigay bago ang interview? Sa akin kasi ang sukatan ng magaling na reporter,yung hindi lang ikaw ang lalabas na magaling.
Karen replied and said:
NO, interview questions are never given to an interviewee. I research a lot & try and come as prepared as I can every single day. If you watched the interview in full, you will see that I shifted to Tagalog, during many times - I tried to help her. My previous interviews were much tougher - w Sen Bongbong Marcos for example or MIAA GM Anghel Honrado. When someone is running for higher office - they must have an understanding of issues. This is a standard we owe to the Filipino people. You will choose in the end. My job is to ask the hard questions.
The broadcaster also noted that she did not ask Alma about other national issues and instead focused on the reproductive health law because "because she said her advocacy is on women."
Please note - I didn't ask Ms Alma Moreno about the West Phil Sea issue, but moved to RH Law because she said her advocacy is on "women". I took on from there - her thoughts on RH Law which is a landmark law crafted for women.
Karen also responded to questions about the interview on her Twitter account.
She noted that her program already interviews the likes of Cong. Manny Pacquiao and presidential aspirant Mar Roxas in the past.
She also said:
Let's challenge our candidates to be their best. #Halalan2016
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) November 16, 2015