MANILA, Philippines — Candidates in the 2022 elections who refuse to face opponents in debates could be a sign that they are incompetent and cannot be trusted, presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao said Tuesday.
He said they are no different from a thief who refuses to undergo a polygraph test but insists he is innocent.
The candidate could be hiding something and is scared it would be exposed in a no-holds-barred debate, Pacquiao added.
“Kapag ganyan na umiiwas sa mga face-to-face debate, dapat alam na ng taumbayan na hindi sila dapat pagkatiwalaan. Walang pinagkaiba ‘yan sa mga magnanakaw na ayaw magpa-polygraph test pero todo tanggi sa kanilang ginawang krimen,” he said in a statement.
(When a candidate avoids face-to-face debates, the public should already know that they should not be trusted. They are no different from a thief who refuses to undergo a polygraph test but continues to deny his crime.)
Pacquiao also dismissed claims that debates are divisive since these can help unify the people to make the right choice.
Candidates should stop avoiding face-to-face debates to ensure that the electorate would keep on relying on Tiktok, Facebook, and other easily manipulable social media platforms informing their decisions, he added.
‘We’ve been long been divided because of the traditional political factions like the loyalists and ‘dilawans’ who are constantly at odds since the EDSA revolution. You cannot promise to unite the nation if you cannot even have the guts to face your foes like a man,” Pacquiao said.
For his part, Pacquiao said he is not afraid to participate in debates, saying he is ready to explain his programs and be subjected to face-to-face public scrutiny.
“Ako wala akong kinakatakutan kahit sinasabi nila na wala raw akong kakayahang mamuno. Hindi ako natatakot dahil malinaw ang aking plano at malinis ang aking harangarin para sa bayan,” he said.
(I am not afraid of anything even though they criticize me that I do not have the capability to lead. I am not afraid because my plans are clear and my intentions for the nation is clean and pure.)
He urged neutral and non-partisan groups like the Commission on Elections (Comelec) or the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) to organize the face-to-face debates to dispel any claim of bias for or against a candidate.
Pacquiao said debates are opportunities for candidates to not only explain their platforms and policy positions but to also demonstrate their competence and sincerity.
He challenged his opponents in the 2022 presidential derby to a face-to-dace debate.
“I’m challenging my fellow presidential candidates: let us have a face-to-face debate. Mas mabuti para sa bayan na tayo ay magharap-harap upang ibahagi ang ating mga posisyon tungkol sa mga pangunahing isyung pambayan. Iba pa rin po kapag face-to-face ang debate dahil dito natin malalaman kung sino ang tunay na tapat at sino ang nagpapanggap,” he said.
(I’m challenging my fellow presidential candidates: let us have a face-to-face debate. It is better for the nation that we face each other to share our positions about key issues. Attending face-to-face debates is still important and different because it is where we can determine who are true and sincere and who are pretending.)
“Mas maganda yung aktwal at harap-harapan ang discussion namin dahil dito natin makikita kung sino sa aming mga naghahangad na maging lider ng bansa ay tapat at may kakayahan na magbigay ng tunay na pagbabago sa bansa at maiangat ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.
(It is better if discussions are actual and face-to-face because we can see here who among us are sincere and competent in effecting true change in the country and lift the lives of the Filipinos.)
Pacquiao said these face-to-face debates will not only help enlighten the electorate on what kind of government should they expect from the candidates but would also give the people a preview of the true character of the candidates.
“Pag face-to-face doon mo makikita yung yung tunay na magaling, yung tunay na may malakasakit at plano sa bayan at yung kunwari lang,” Pacquiao said.
(In face-to-face debates, we can see who are truly competent, empathetic, and have plans for the country from those who are just pretending.)
Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is so far the only candidate who have been skipping presidential interviews and forums with national media.
He has skipped the interview with GMA veteran reporter Jessica Soho, claiming the female journalist is “biased” and “anti-Marcos” and the forum with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) due to conflict in his schedule.
He, again, is set to skip the debate to be hosted by CNN Philippines on Feb. 27.
Marcos Jr.’s camp earlier said there is no guarantee yet whether he will attend future debates, including those organized and accredited by the Comelec, as he still has to see whether it is an interview or a debate.
Marcos Jr., meanwhile, attended presidential interviews and fora held by DZRH, DZBB and those hosted by Boy Abunda and Korina Sanchez.
He will also attend the debate to be hosted by Quiboloy-ran SMNI, where he is expected to face off with presidential candidate labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman.
Pacquiao and presidential candidates Leni Robredo, Panfilo Lacson, Isko Moreno have declined to join the SMNI debate.