No need for Binay to prepare for Cebu debate–UNA

By: Yuji Vincent Gonzales - 9 years ago

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Thursday said there was no need for its standard-bearer to prepare for the second presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday in Cebu.

UNA president Toby Tiangco said the debate was not similar to an exam that required review and memorization, adding Vice President Jejomar Binay would simply talk about his accomplishments and platforms.

READ: Binay hopes Cebu debates would tackle platforms, not issues

“Ako, dapat relax lang si VP kasi wala naman talagang dapat paghandaan doon sa debate dahil hindi naman ito exam na dapat may babasahin ka, may mememoryahin ka. Ang pinakaimportante lang naman dito [ay] ano ang nagawa ni VP at ano ang plano ni VP,” Tiangco told reporters at Coconut Palace.

“He will just narrate kung ano ang nagawa niya bilang public servant , even before being a public servant at ‘yung gagawin niya. Alam naman niya kung ano ang plano niya para sa ating bansa kung siya ay papalarin na maging pangulo. Wala naman talagang preparation dito,” he said.

Tiangco said they already coordinated with debate organizers to ensure that Binay’s voice would be audible throughout the venue at University of the Philippines Cebu.

“Ang sabi ng TV5 during the last meeting that I had with them, kasi nga hindi pare-pareho ang lakas ng boses ng bawat kandidato, sila na ang mag-aadjust. ‘Yon ang sabi ng TV5 noong huling meeting namin para paglabas sa TV ay pantay at magsing-lakas ang boses,” he said.

All presidential candidates except Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago are expected to attend the debate on Sunday, sponsored by TV5 and Philippine Star. In a statement, Santiago said she would undergo a clinical trial for a new anticancer pill which would give her free access to the medication.

A third presidential debate will be held on April 24 in Luzon. RC