GMA News reporter Mariz Umali is the talk of social media after her husband Raffy Tima called out President-elect Rodrigo Duterte for “catcalling” her during a press conference in Davao City.
But the anchor-reporter said she is not expecting an apology from Duterte, saying she is trying to understand the outgoung Davao City’Mayor’s personality amid the incident.
READ: GMA reporter Raffy Tima calls out Duterte for ‘catcalling’ wife Mariz Umali
“It may have been improper from a President-elect. But, of course, we will continue to do our job. We are not expecting any apology from him personally,” Mariz told GMA News TV’s News To Go on Thu, Jun 2.
She also said: “Iniintindi natin yan because sa mga coverages natin sa kanya, talagang sinasabi niya na na ganun talaga siya. Meron pa nga siyang sinabi na pabiro noong previous press conference na baka hindi raw perfect si God because he created him that way.”
(We try to understand Duterte because during our coverage with him, he says that’s really how he is. He even joked during a previous press conference that maybe God isn’t perfect because he created him that way.)
Mariz also explained he tried to get the attention of Duterte during the press conference because it was not moderated, and journalists had to raise their hands or voices to be able to ask questions.
She tried to remain unperturbed by Duterte. “I continued to concentrate on my question,” Mariz explained.
In a statement, GMA News and Public Affairs said it is committed “to do our job professionally” despite the challenges.
“As journalists, we are ready to deal with situations that come with the territory. Regardless of the challenges, our commitment is to do our job professionally, as Mariz Umali has show,” the statement read.
