MANILA, Philippines – Otso Diretso senatorial candidates on Monday said I they are still willing to hold a debate on key national issues with administration-backed rivals.
Election lawyer Romy Macalintal asked Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) candidates to set the date, time, and place.
“Bagamat hindi sila dumating ngayon, hinahamon pa rin namin sila. Sila na magtakda ng araw, sila na magtakda ng oras, sila na ang magtakda ng lugar, kung saan nila gusto, pupuntahan namin sila at kami ay magkakaroon ng paliwanagan,” Macalintal said.
(While they did not show up today, we invite them to set the date, time and place of the debate, and we will be there to discuss issues.)
The opposition bets picked Plaza Miranda as the venue for the public debate because according to former solicitor general and senatorial candidate Pilo Hilbay, the place is historically proper for the proposed event.
HNP has accepted the debate but was not able to attend the Plaza Miranda event due to a scheduled campaign commitment.
Magdalo party-listRep. Gary Alejano meanwhile said that the purpose of the debate is to give the public a chance to know the candidates.
Alejano said that it would be the public who would suffer in the future if they are “deceived” by political advertisements and campaign posters.
“Ito ay para sa taong bayan, para maipakita natin nang maayos sa taong bayan kung sino ba ang karapatdapat na ihalal,” he said
(This is for the people, so that they will know who deserves to be elected.) / gsg