20-3-2024 (MANILA) Australian news anchor, Sarah Ferguson, revealed that staff members of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attempted to halt an interview where she questioned him about his family’s alleged plunder. The interview, which took place on March 4, gained widespread attention after its release. In a TikTok video posted on March 19, Ferguson, who presents the ABC news program 7.30, shared details about the tense encounter and the reaction of the President’s staff.
Ferguson explained that she had planned to divide the interview into two parts. The initial segment focused on the Philippines’ relationship with China, as Marcos was in Melbourne at the time for the summit between Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). During this part of the interview, Marcos raised concerns about escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
However, it was the second segment that proved to be more contentious. Ferguson intended to question Marcos about his family’s scandalous past, specifically regarding allegations of ill-gotten wealth. As soon as she mentioned Marcos’ father, the President’s staff became visibly agitated. They began conversing amongst themselves and attempted to persuade the producer to terminate the interview.
Undeterred, Ferguson continued her line of inquiry, confronting Marcos about the government’s failure to recover the ill-gotten wealth amassed by his family. As the questions persisted, the President’s staff moved closer to him and Ferguson, standing just behind his chair. Despite the mounting tension in the room, Ferguson pressed on, seeking answers about Marcos’ responsibility and his acceptance of his father’s actions, particularly in his role as the current President.
@abcnewsaus What happens when you ask a president a question about his father’s corruption? Sarah breaks down what you may have missed from her interview with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and what happened with his minders behind the scenes. #Philippines #FerdinandMarcos #Interview #BehindTheScenes #ABC730 ♬ original sound – ABC News Australia
In response, Marcos stuttered and claimed that his family had signed quitclaims, relinquishing their claims to the assets that the government had uncovered. He dismissed previous findings that held his family accountable for their stolen wealth as “propaganda.” However, it is widely documented that the Marcos family has been associated with substantial greed. To date, the government has managed to recover P174 billion in ill-gotten wealth, with efforts underway to pursue an additional P125 billion.
Reflecting on the interview, Ferguson believed that the Philippine President regretted agreeing to speak with her. She described the atmosphere in the room as both tense and uncertain. However, she remained determined to conclude the interview professionally, despite the discomfort experienced by Marcos.
