VICE presidential candidates Senators Ferdinand Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II were absent on Sunday at the vice presidential debates organized by ABS-CBN.
In a statement, Marcos said he spent the whole day of Sunday attending private meetings and a Unity Caravan in Batangas.
The senator also said he was “taking time out from his busy campaign schedule” to celebrate his 23rd wedding anniversary and spend a quiet dinner with his wife Louise Araneta Marcos.
Honasan said he has prior commitments in Mindanao, which coincide with the debate schedule.
“No. I have previous commitments in Mindanao that I could not reschedule on short notice,” he said when asked why he could not attend the debate.
Their rivals, Camarines Sur Rep. Ms. Leonor “Leni” Robredo and Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV, attended the debate.