Marcos camp rejects VP Robredo’s debate challenge

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday rejected Vice President Leni Robredo’s debate challenge and said it will never happen.

Marcos’ spokesperson Atty. Vic Rodriguez said that the presidential candidate brings his message of unity straight to the public.

“Nauunawaan ko ang kabiguang naramdaman ni Ginang Robredo na makaharap sa isang pagtatalo at bangayan si presidential frontrunner na si Bongbong Marcos,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

(I understand Mrs. Robredo’s frustration face presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos in a debate and argument.)

“Maaari po na silang dalawa, na parehong naghangad na maging pangulo ng republika, ay magkaiba ng paniniwala hinggil sa pamamaraan ng pakikipagtalastasan sa mamamayan,” he added.

(Maybe the two of them, who are both aspiring to be the president of the Republic, have different beliefs when it comes to communicating with the public.)

In the same breath, Rodriguez said that their camp will only engage in “positive campaigning”, while accusing the “yellows” of using deception in its campaign.

Rodriguez said seeing the candidates calmly campaigning can give “huge relief” to the public amid the pandemic.

“Positibong pangangampanya at walang paninira ang gabay ng UniTeam ni Bongbong Marcos. At derecho sa taumbayan ang mga mensahe nito at ang panawagan ng pagkakisa. Pawang mga negatibo, panlilinlang at paninira naman ang sa kampo ng dilawan,” Rodriguez said.

(The UniTeam of Bongbong Marcos is using positive campaigning as its guide and we go straight to the public to communicate our message of unity. Meanwhile, the yellows are using negative campaigning and deception.)

Earlier in the day, Robredo announced she will not participate in the presidential panel interviews organized by the Commission on Elections  and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.

She, however, challenged Marcos to a debate, saying the public should be given an avenue to ask about controversies surrounding the former senator.

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