ABS-CBN: Dyan not a liar; Pacquiao interview just 35 mins

ABS-CBN has refuted reports saying that its senior sports correspondent, Dyan Castillejo, interviewed People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao in a party for three hours that purportedly drew the ire of media practitioners and other guests who were also waiting to talk to the boxer.

In a statement, Bong Osorio, ABS-CBN Corporate Communications head, said, contrary to reports, Castillejo’s interview with Pacquiao lasted for 35 minutes only, not three hours.

“In fact, Castillejo and her team waited patiently for two hours before they were asked to start the interview, which was done with the prior knowledge and permission of Pacquiao and the host of the party,” Osorio said.

Castillejo’s controversial interview took place in a victory party held for Pacquiao after his match with Oscar dela Hoya last December. The party was hosted by former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson.

Castillejo was then doing a documentary on Pacquiao for ABS-CBN’s “The Correspondents.”

Reports said guests and other media men began to complain allegedly because Castillejo’s interview lasted for three hours. This prompted ABS-CBN to issue the statement to clarify the allegations.

Reacting to ABS-CBN's statement, reports said a television executive of another network belied the Kapamilya network’s claims. The TV executive was also quoted as saying that Castillejo camp was lying.

ABS-CBN, for its part, scored the TV official, saying “it is conduct unbecoming of a TV executive to be calling Castillejo sinungaling (liar).”

“It is certainly not our style to feed misleading information or invent details for the media,” Osorio said.

He added: “Despite the negative campaign, Castillejo has remain unfazed and will continue to deliver news stories that matter to the Filipino people such as the triumphs of Pacquiao, who serves as an inspiration to our countrymen. We thank the public for their continued patronage of our news and current affairs programs.”

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