Let the public decide. That was what former interior secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II told media on Sunday, immediately after the second presidential debate held in Cebu.
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“Palagay ko na ating kababayan ang makakasabi mismo,” he said when asked about Vice President Jejomar Binay’s insistence to bring his notes to the podium despite the Commission on Elections telling him that it is against the debate rules.
(I think our fellow Filipinos would be able to say something about that.)
“Nakikita nila ito ang patakaran. Apparently kay Vice President Binay, feeling niya, espesyal siya. Sinabi na no notes, no papers eh,” Roxas said.
(They know that it is the rule. Apparently, Vice President Binay thinks he’s special. He was already told that he couldn’t carry notes or papers.)
The second debate, organised by TV5 and Philippine Star, started more than an hour late because of the Binay camp’s insistence to allow notes.
READ: Dispute on Binay’s notes mars second presidential debate
This led to host Luchi Cruz-Valdes apologizing for mistakenly telling Binay that notes are allowed. The other candidates were also asked to weigh in on the issue.
Roxas, who is the administration candidate, was the first to oppose Binay’s request.
READ: Binay, Roxas, Poe argue on bringing of notes at Cebu presidential debate
He later said that it was a simple matter.
“May patakaran ba tayo o wala? Para sa ating bansa isa sa dahilan bakit mahina ang ating pagusad sa ekonomiya ay pabago-bago ang ating patakaran, ating rules. Parati natin nadidinig yan, kailangan rules-based, kailangan hindi pabago-bago ang policy,” he said.
(Do we have rules or not? One reason why our economic growth is weak is because of our ever changing policies and rules. We always hear that we should be rules-based, that policy should not frequently change.)
Who’s winning the second presidential debate?