Jinggoy to Otso Diretso: Let’s debate in July, if you win

MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidate Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday mocked the opposition Otso Diretso slate for challenging administration-backed candidates to a debate.

Confident of his chances of returning to the Senate, Estrada, who is facing plunder charges, said he will challenge the opposition bets to a debate in July when the upper chamber resumes session, and only if the Otso Diretso bets win in the May polls.

“Hahamunin ko sila ng debate sa July pagbukas ng Senado, kung mananalo sila (I will challenge them to a debate in July when the Senate resumes session if they win),” the former senator said.

However, Estrada has yet to appear in any televised debate.

The son of former president Joseph Estrada is among Hugpong ng Pagbabago’s (HNP) 13 senatorial candidates, all of whom are allies or supporters of the Duterte administration.

The Otso Diretso candidates have repeatedly challenged their pro-administration rivals to a public debate, at one time even asking the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to host it for them.

However, the Comelec said they are not likely to facilitate an official debate for senatorial aspirants due to time constraints. /ee

READ: Comelec cool to senatorial candidates’ debate