MANILA, Philippines — Founder and campaign manager of pro-administration Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said that while her party is ready for the debate against the opposition bets she cannot assure that all of her candidates will take part in it.
Speaking with reporters after HNP’s campaign caravan at the San Juan City Hall on Wednesday, Duterte-Carpio requested for a third party organizer after the opposition agreed with her proposal of a rule-based debate.
READ: Pangilinan: Otso Diretso ready to talk debate rules with Hugpong / Otso Diretso to Sara Duterte: Set venue, format of debate with HNP bets
“Sige, mag-identify ng organizers. Dapat merong third party na organizer para sa debate. HNP kasi is only the organizer of candidates of different parties so we will ask them kung sino sa kanila ang interested na sumali sa debate,” the Davao City mayor said.
When asked whether she can assure that all of the candidates endorsed by HNP will be participating in the debate, she said: “Of course hindi, kasi a debate is a personal choice eh. Ikaw naman magdedecide as a candidate kung gusto mong sumali or hindi. Meron kaming mga candidates na hindi talaga sila interested makipag-debate because they base their candidacy on their track record.”
However, the presidential daughter said she will still try and encourage the candidates to participate.
READ: Tañada slams Hugpong’s absence in debate: ‘You’re embarassing Sara Duterte
“Ang iba naman, madami diyan sa kanila ang very supportive sa mga forums and mga debates na ginagawa ng mga media outlets, mga academe at ng mga private organization,” she said.
Senatorial bets of the opposition slate earlier challenged the administration candidates at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila at noon on February 25, but no candidates from HNP showed up.
READ: Otso Diretso bets want debate with opponents on key issues
HNP is endorsing 13 candidates namely Senators Cynthia Villar, Aquilino Pimentel III, JV Ejercito and Juan Edgardo Angara; former Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla and Pia Cayetano; Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, former national police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, former Presidential legal adviser Francis Tolentino and journalist Jiggy Manicad. /jpv