Pacquiao: Debate shows purity of intent

Sen. Manny Pacquiao is running for president in the May 9, 2022, elections. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — A presidential bet should be ready to respond to questions even without advanced preparations, as this will show one’s “purity” of intention in running for the highest post in the land, Sen. Manny Pacquiao said after the Commission on Elections said it would give presidential and vice presidential candidates an idea of the general topics that would be tackled in the Comelec debate on March 19.

“It’s better if they don’t [give the general topics in advance], so that we can gauge the purity of a candidate in running for the presidency. You should be ready to face any question posed to you, and not ask what the question will be beforehand,” he said in a press briefing in Lingayen, Pangasinan, after sorties in the towns of Binmaley, San Carlos, and Lingayen on Wednesday.

“You have to be ready to answer questions because you’re running for President of the Philippines. You shouldn’t be choosing questions … because you are applying to be the leader of the nation, so you have to be open to all questions, and not choose questions that you like,” he added.

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