MANILA (Updated) -- Kris Aquino was snubbed by President Rodrigo Duterte in their much-anticipated one-on-one interview in Davao City on Friday, November 11.
The Queen of All Media was supposed to meet Duterte at the National Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs' Summit 2016 held in Davao City, but the President was not able to make it to the event.
Aquino hinted that Duterte was not feeling well after a two-day state visit to Thailand and Malaysia.
"Minsan ang mga first date hindi natutuloy. President Duterte pinaghandaan kita, nag-dyeta ako ng dalawang linggo," Aquino said in front of Go Negosyo attendees.
The television host added that she called her brother, Duterte's predecessor former president Benigno Aquino III, to inform him of the circumstances and he advised her to go on with the show.
"Sabi niya (former President) 'andiyan ka for Go Negosyo, andiyan ka because you believe in the economy and andyan ka because you want everybody to be included in the growth of the economy'," she said.
A report by state-run PTV4 said Duterte fell ill after his visits to Thailand and Malaysia. Duterte arrived in Davao City on Friday.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez attended the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Summit on the President's behalf.
Lopez said Duterte's "killer schedule" may have made him feel unwell.
"It is really the killer schedule...I was with him ever since the series of state visits," Lopez said.
"If you know the schedule, it is really one after the other, then you have to leave, attend a meeting and leave again. Then the flight [is] arriving late. I had the benefit of a three-hour sleep," he added.
Even though Aquino was saddened by the cancellation of Duterte, she is still looking forward to have a one-on-one interview with the President.
"President Duterte, please give me a chance. I hope one day mamahalin mo rin ako," she said.
Aquino's best friend and manager, Boy Abunda, was also in Davao City to personally lend support to the TV host.
The one-on-one interview was supposed to be Aquino's comeback appearance on television after a seven month break. (Sunnex)
