Sen. Francis Pangilinan (Photo from his Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines – The opposition senatorial slate is willing to discuss with the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) senatorial candidates the rules and guidelines for the debate, Otso Diretso campaign manager Senator Francis Pangilinan said Wednesday.
The Otso Diretso candidates earlier challenged the HNP to a debate set at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila, at noon on Febr. 25. However, No HNP candidate showed up.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, chair of the HNP, explained HNP’s no-show saying that there was no formal invitation and no clear set of debate rules were established.
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Pangilinan said the Otso Diretso camp would contact some of the reelectionists under the HNP slate to discuss the rules and guidelines for the debate so that it would push through.
“Sabihin natin na kinakailangan nga ng rules dahil para maayos, we’re willing. Today we will contact perhaps some of the incumbent senators doon sa Hugpong,” Pangilinan said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel.
“So we will contact them and sige pag-usapan natin ang rules, para maituloy na itong debate na ito,” he added.
Pangilinan said the Otso Diretso called for a debate because many of the administration’s senatorial candidates are not attending televised debates.
He maintained that the debate was not a “trap” or a campaign strategy of the opposition, noting that it is vital that voters know the candidates’ positions on various national issues through the debate.
“We believe, for the voters to have a real interest dito sa ating mga kandidato, dapat pinag-uusapan yung issue ng mga botante, ‘yung hanapbuhay, trabaho, presyo ng bilihin… People deserve to know how you will defend the positions you are taking,” Pangilinan said.
“I don’t see it whether it’s a trap or not, no, the people deserve to know the candidate’s position on issues and they have to explain and are accountable,” he added.
Duterte-Carpio earlier said that the HNP candidates were willing to debate with the opposition bets.
Senatorial candidates Francis Tolentino and JV Ejerctio also earlier accepted the call of a debate, saying they are ready to face the opposition slate. /cbb
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