MANILA, Philippines — Reelectionist Senator Sonny Angara on Monday said some candidates merely use debates to discredit other candidates and make themselves more popular.
Angara expressed anew his rejection to one-on-one debates and explained his position on the matter during an ambush interview at the start of an endorsement rally in San Juan City.
“Hindi ako sang-ayon doon sa one-on-one debate kasi hindi naman namin tinatakbuhan president o mayor eh. Ang tinatakbuhan namin senador. There are 12 positions available so dapat dyan pagandahan ng plataporma,” Angara said in a interview.
“Eh ‘yung iba gusto gamitin ang debate para isang venue para siraan naman ‘yung ibang kandidato. Hindi naman kami papayag na gamitin sa ganoong paraan,” he added.
Senatorial candidate Sonny Angara. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA
According to Angara, there are also candidates – notably those who are lesser known and “have nothing to lose” – use debates to become popular.
“Kasama na rin siguro sa stratehiya ‘yan. ‘Yun siguro gagamitin nung mga hindi masaydo kilala, nothing to lose kasi sila, so ang gagawin nila titirahin nila ‘yung mga mas kilalang kandidato para sumikat sila,” he said.
Angara said candidates can join a debate if they wanted to but do not choose who to debate with.
“Sumali nalang sila sa debate. Pero masama ‘yung pipiliin nila kung sino ‘yung gusto nilang ka-debate kasi marami kaming kandidato, bakit kami yung pinipili nila? Ibig sabihin may masama silang balak ‘di ba?” he said.
Angara’s reelection bid is being endorsed by administration-backed Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP). He placed in the Top 10 in the recently-released Pulse Asia senatorial survey that was conducted from January 26 to 31.
Senatorial bets under the opposition “Otso Diretso” have been daring other senatorial candidates running under the banner of HNP to a debate. But nobody from HNP has so far accepted that challenge. /kga
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