QUEZON CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Quezon City Bureau) – Following the Chinese government’s ban on BBC’s broadcasting in the country, HardTalk’s Stephen Sackur has turned to the Philippines for his trademark hard-hitting segments.

Sackur had previously interviewed former Philippine Senator Antonio Trillanes and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, both of which turned out to be an embarrassment for the interviewees.

The Adobo Chronicles has learned that Sackur has extended an invitation to Vice President Leni Robredo for an exclusive, one-on-one interview sans prepared statements or coaching from her spokespersons and speechwriters.

But alas, Robredo declined the invitation, but she graciously invited Sackur for a merienda,, or snacks, at the VP Residence at the Boracay Mansion in Quezon City.

Robredo promised to exempt Sackur from all Covid-related travel restrictions imposed by her country’s Inter-agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) for foreign nationals.