It was started with an “ambush” interview last Friday at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. Yesterday after a month of long self-imposed boycott of the media, President Duterte called reporters to a snap press briefing at the Malacañang’s Rizal hall,after he had sworn in several ranking officials of his government.

The reason for the change of the heart was unclear as Communications Secretary Martin Andarar and Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella declined to comment. President was lighthearted even joking with PTV-4 reported Rocky Ignacio who was held at the gates by the Presidential Security Group to simply tell the guards that they are friends so she would be allowed easy access.

The president spoke on mining and labor issues,the South China Sea dispute and peace talks during the briefing that lasted for 39 minutes. After he was elected in May,he went on a self-imposed boycott after the media criticized him for his statements on the killing of the journalist and rape.

Asked when the President would change his stand, Abella and Andarar earlier told members of the Malacañang Press to just wait.