VICE President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo on Friday has challenged her archrival, former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., to a debate ahead of the presidential election on May 9, stating that the public should be given a chance to scrutinize him.
However, Uniteam presidential bet Marcos has refused the challenge saying it will never happen.
“Inaanyayahan ko si Ginoong Bongbong Marcos na makipagdebate, para mabigyan ang taumbayan ng pagkakataong makaharap siya at matanong tungkol sa mga kontrobersiyang pumapalibot sa kanya,” Robredo said Friday in a statement.
The presidential bet continued, “We owe it to the people and to our country. Kung papayag po kayo, anytime, anywhere, darating ako.”
Robredo also mentioned that of all the presidential candidates, only Marcos has not yet faced the public in a debate, depriving the public the chance to learn about and compare their character and their vision for the country.
Marcos only attended presidential debates organized by SMNI, a television network owned by fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who endorsed Marcos and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Marcos has opted out of the Comelec’s first two presidential debates, the debate hosted by CNN Philippines, and the forum convened by the Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng mga Pilipinas.
The presidential candidate is also skipping the presidential forum jointly organized by the Comelec and the KBP, where only four presidential candidates and four vice-presidential candidates have confirmed attendance.
Robredo will also skip the Comelec-KBP forum, noting that she wants to spend time with volunteers supporting her candidacy in the remaining days of the campaign.
“Naihayag ko na sa maraming pagkakataon ang track record, mga plano, at mga prinsipyo ko. Maraming beses na akong nagbigay ng panayam sa mga panel interview at naka-post online ang lahat ng recording na ito,” she said.
That will never happen – Bongbong
The camp of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday rejected Vice President Leni Robredo’s debate challenge and said it will never happen.
Marcos’ spokesperson Atty. Vic Rodriguez said that the presidential candidate brings his message of unity straight to the public.
“Nauunawaan ko ang kabiguang naramdaman ni Ginang Robredo na makaharap sa isang pagtatalo at bangayan si presidential frontrunner na si Bongbong Marcos,” Rodriguez said in a statement.
“Maaari po na silang dalawa, na parehong naghangad na maging pangulo ng republika, ay magkaiba ng paniniwala hinggil sa pamamaraan ng pakikipagtalastasan sa mamamayan,” he added.
