Trillanes on BBC interview: Haters will hate

MANILA, Philippines - Unfazed by criticisms he has received from Malacañang and on social media for his recent interview on BBC’s HARDtalk program, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said it was actually one of the proudest moments in his public life.

Mocked by pro-Duterte trolls and supporters on social media because of his supposed meltdown on the BBC program hosted by Stephen Sackur, Trillanes said he managed to bring forward what he wanted to relay to the world in that interview, which primarily dealt on his negative views of President Duterte.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella also joined those who mocked Trillanes in a press briefing last week, where he echoed the host’s comment that “the senator seems to be out of tune and not reflective of the times.”

In the interview, Sackur questioned the stance taken by Trillanes against Duterte, noting that it seemed that a majority of the Filipino people were supportive of the policies and actions taken by the President.

In spite of Duterte’s pronouncements about killing criminals and crooked politicians even when he was still campaigning, Sackur pointed out that he still won the popular vote.

“It is what it is. People who watched the full interview (not the spliced one) are entitled to their own opinions,” Trillanes said.  

“The haters will hate; the believers will believe,” he added.

Trillanes said he had no regrets about the interview, knowing that the program was very popular and has a global audience. 

He also said interviews on the show were typically difficult for guests.

“I can honestly say that it is one of the proudest moments in my public life,” Trillanes said. 

Following the BBC interview, fake news articles also circulated on social media claiming that Trillanes was planning to sue the network for humiliating him during the interview. 

However, in a letter sent to the BBC last June 23, Trillanes clarified he has no intention of suing the company and that he was just being targeted by a “massive and well-funded black propaganda campaign by the social media troll organization of the Duterte administration.”