Macalintal says HNP bets ‘hiding under the skirt’ of President to avoid debates

Atty. Romulo Macalintal. Photo by Christia Ramos / INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines — Lawyer Romulo Macalintal on Wednesday said pro administration candidates of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) are hiding behind President Rodrigo Duterte instead of participating in debates and speak on national issues.

“‘Yung kanyang mga kandidato ewan ko parang ayaw magsalita umaatras sa debate. Talagang ang Pangulo ang nagsasalita para sa kanila,” the lawyer said during a meet and greet with Otso Diretso volunteers in Casa Divina in Antipolo, Rizal.

“Hindi sila dapat nagtatago sa saya ng Pangulo. Ang problema parang nagtatago sa saya ng Pangulo at ayaw nila magpaliwanag sa position nila sa bansa at sa mga issue na ating hinaharap,” he added.

On Sunday, Duterte slammed Otso Diretso senatorial candidates, saying they would go straight to hell.

“Sinong ipalit mo diyan sa [kanila]? ‘Yang Otso Diretso papuntang impiyerno,” Duterte said in a speech.

READ: Duterte mocks opposition slate: ‘Otso Diretso’ to ‘hell’

Former Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada echoed Macalintal noting that HNP campaign manager Sara Duterte-Carpio is speaking for the candidates.

“Bakit ayaw nilang harapin kaming mga kandidato, ang nagsasalita para sa kanila ay si Pangulong Duterte at Mayor Inday Sara,” Tañada said in an ambush interview after Otso Diretso’s campaign sortie in Rizal.

“Bakit hindi nila kayang humarap mismo sa amin at ‘di ipagtanggol yung ginagawa nila sa Senado,” he added.

Otso Diretso has been challenging HNP candidates on debates even urging Duterte-Carpio to finalize the venue, date, and format of the debate.

READ: Otso Diretso to Sara Duterte: Set venue, format of debate with HNP bets

The opposition party also asked the Commission on Elections to arrange a debate with HNP senatorial bets. /jpv

READ: Otso candidates ask Comelec to arrange debate with Hugpong rivals