MANILA, Philippines — Actress and news anchor Dianne Medina denied Thursday that her trip to Japan with fiancé actor Rodjun Cruz was a gift from President Rodrigo Duterte.
A netizen commented on the couple’s photo at the famous Hachiko Memorial Statue in Tokyo, speculating the trip was a gift from the president.
Screenshot from @rodjuncruz on instagram
“May post sa fb group nyo sa Japan kasama sila Bayani [Agbayani], Philip Salvador, etc at dalawa kayo ni Rodjun, sabi regalo daw sa inyo ni PRRD [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte],” the netizen wrote.
This was false according to Medina who said they personally booked their own tickets to Japan.
“Not true. Di ka pa nasanay sa mga naninira. You cannot please everybody. May kanya kanya yang opinion or side na pinapanigan. Kahit sabihin mo ang totoo pero di ka nila side, balewala,” the PTV-4 news anchor said.
“Kayo na ang bahala basta ako nasabi na namin ni Rodjun ang totoo. Regalo? San galing yun? We booked our own ticket here,” she added.
Meanwhile, another netizen asked if they were part of Duterte’s delegation: “Just wondering kasi nakita ko picture ninyo sa airport, kasama ba kayo sa grupo ng mga taga gobyerno na nagpunta diyan or natiyempuhan lang na nakita ninyo sila sa airport?”
Screenshot from @rodjuncruz on instagram
But Cruz echoed Medina’s statements and clarified they were the ones who paid for the trip.
“Hi Guys may freedom naman ako to post dahil kami nag bayad ng trip na to,” Cruz said.
Screenshot from @rodjuncruz on instagram
“Mali lang jinu-judge kami ng mga tao. Madaming bansa na kaming napuntahan ni Dianne bukod sa Japan. Ilang beses na rin kami bumalik dito. Salamat. God Bless,” he added.
A 200-member delegation and 16 Cabinet officials were said to be accompanying Duterte during his visit to Japan for Nikkei’s 25th International Conference on the Future of Asia. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)
READ: 200 delegates to join Duterte in third Japan trip