Music Room, Malacañan Palace
February 7, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte welcomed several of his social media staunch supporters and bloggers led by Dr. Lorraine Badoy, Ms. Sass Sasot, and Mr. Rey Joseph Nieto of Thinking Pinoy, at the Music Room in Malacañan Palace.

Several issues were raised by the group in meeting the President. Ms. Sasot, who is an LGBT rights advocate and blogger, raised several issues including the concerns of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and professionals who are burdened with the Professional Regulation Commission’s (PRC) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program.

According to her, teachers abroad are forced to take seminar classes to earn their CPD units in order to have their professional licenses renewed, and this can be costly. She also aired the sentiments of other OFWs who had to take leave from work only to visit the Philippine Embassy. She hopes for Philippine Embassies in all parts of the world to extend their service window even on weekends.

Moreover, Thinking Pinoy founder Rey Joseph Nieto suggested for the President to have a special documenting team who could follow him and record his daily activities, and compile it artistically so that it would serve as a guide for the future Filipinos to exemplify on what a true leader should be, especially in choosing the next future leaders of the country. President Duterte said he would think about it.

He also asked if Thinking Pinoy could join the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) in covering the Malacañang news beats for social media. According to him, the President had given his go signal and had already relayed the request to Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

Meanwhile, the group expressed their enthusiasm in meeting the President for the first time. The group was also treated to a dinner at the President’s Hall before leaving the Palace.

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