Rody grants bloggers access to Palace events

President Duterte has given the green light for some bloggers and staunch social media supporters to cover Palace events.

On Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella confirmed that Duterte granted the request of bloggers to “ocassionally” cover Palace events like press briefings and presidential activities.

He also said that the bloggers made it clear that it was not their intention to become members of the press corps.

Their request was made when the bloggers met with Duterte on Tuesday.

“Thinking Pinoy [Rey Joseph Nieto] made a request if they could access the briefings. They did not have any intention of becoming members of the press corps they just want to be able to occasionally attend, visit, Palace activities and the President said yes,” Abella said.

However, Abella said that the bloggers will not be given a permanent office in Malacañang.

Prior to their meeting with Duterte, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar expressed his plans on giving bloggers accredition to cover Palace events.

The bloggers had been given accreditation to cover previous presidential foreign and local trips.

Andanar also previously asked officers of the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) if the bloggers could join the MPC but the bloggers don’t meet the qualifications for membership including being employed in a media organization recognized and certified by the Palace.