President Arroyo launched yesterday a high-profile media campaign, which she actually began Monday with impromptu press briefings with Palace reporters during her free time over the past few days.
After appearing on early morning and evening television and radio talk show programs one after the other last week, the President has a schedule filled with TV and radio interviews again this week.
Before her critics and detractors get the chance to accuse her of changing her mind on her Dec. 30, 2002 declaration she would not seek a full six-year term in the May 2004 polls, Mrs. Arroyo said she has decided to conduct frequent media interviews to directly address national issues and concerns during these "critical times."
"Rather than you would be doing speculative stories, it is better that you hear it from me directly," the President told the Palace press corps during her first spontaneous press briefing Monday.
Mrs. Arroyo launched her media campaign even as newly appointed Press Secretary Hernani Braganza was sidelined by health concerns.
Former TV executive and now Press Undersecretary for Operations Milton Alingod told The STAR yesterday that Braganza is suffering from high blood sugar.
The President began her media campaign last week with initial appearances on ABS-CBN’s early morning TV talk show Magandang Umaga Bayan and a pre-taped interview on GMA-7’s Jessica Soho Reports, which was aired Wednesday night.
The Chief Executive also gave a live interview at the Palace that was aired on the Ugnayang Bayan program of government-run National Broadcasting Network (NBN).
She was interviewed by Radio Veritas Friday morning and she gave another impromptu press briefing to Palace reporters that afternoon.
Last night, the President was the sole guest on a special feature episode of the Magandang Gabi, Bayan program hosted by Sen. Noli de Castro, aired live from the ABS-CBN studio on Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City.
Tomorrow, Mrs. Arroyo will be interviewed at 7 a.m. by the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), immediately after which she will be interviewed by radio station dzRH.
Later in the day, the President will pre-tape her Malacañang appearance on Morning Girls, the ABS-CBN TV talk show hosted by Korina Sanchez and Kris Aquino.
To avoid being caught up in the ongoing "network war," the President is slated to be the featured guest on GMA-7’s early morning TV show Unang Hirit that will be aired on Tuesday.
After Unang Hirit, Mrs. Arroyo will be interviewed by Bombo Radyo at 7 a.m.
On Wednesday, the President begins her day with an interview on broadcaster Mike Enriquez’s early morning radio program on GMA-7’s radio station, dzBB.
As a nightcap for her busy day, Mrs. Arroyo will be the special guest on the GMA-7 TV talk show Debate hosted by former Pangasinan governor Oscar Orbos and ex-economic planning secretary Winnie Monsod. She will pre-tape this at the Palace on the eve of the regular Thursday night airing of the show.
On Thursday, Mrs. Arroyo returns to the ABS-CBN compound for an interview with dzMM radio show host Neil Ocampo at 6:30 a.m.