Gadon OKs debate but not in UP with ‘communist’ crowd
Senatorial candidate Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon. INQUIRER PHOTO/ JAM STA ROSA
MANILA, Philippines — Pro-administration Senate aspirant Larry Gadon on Thursday said he was ready to take on the debate challenge of the Otso Diretso opposition slate, but not inside the University of the Philippines (UP) campus where the crowds are allegedly communists.
On Wednesday, Otso Diretso opposition senatorial bets dared rivals from the Hugpong ng Pagbabago coalition to debate on vital national issues.
“We are challenging the other slate, the administration slate, to a debate anywhere, anytime kahit ano’ng format. Kahit 13 versus 8 ok lang sakin ‘yun o apat sa isa wala kaming problema dyan. Basta magkaharapan at magkaalaman,” human rights lawyer Chel Diokno said.
READ: Otso Diretso bets want debate with opponents on key issues
Gadon, a self-described “Marcos loyalist” and Duterte supporter, said in a Viber group with reporters: “Basta wag sa UP na ang crowd ay mga komunista.” He did not provide proof of his claim.
The lawyer who faces four disbarment cases due to his supposed misconduct in the past, also said he would debate with only four opposition candidates: Mar Roxas, Sen. Bam Aquino, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, “kasi sayang time.”
“Anytime ako. Dun sa mga venue na hindi estudyante mga komunista ang crowd. Pwede San Beda. Or live TV studio na walang audience,” he added.
When asked if he meant that all UP students are communists for him, Gadon clarified: “Not all UP (students).”
He claimed “99% of UP (students) are intelligent and bright” while “1% (are) communists (who) are dumb idiots or … brainwashed and indoctrinated leftists.”
Communism is a political, social and economic ideology that is not considered a crime in the Philippines as of this posting.
The man behind the impeachment case against then-Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno faces disbarment cases for hurling invectives and flashing a “dirty finger” at Sereno’s supporters during a protest at the Supreme Court in Baguio City in April 2018.
Other moves to drop his license as an attorney came after he allegedly threatened to kill Muslims in 2016 to attain peace in Mindanao, and due to his alleged “arrogance and dishonesty” during Sereno’s impeachment proceedings before the House of Representatives. /cbb
