Palace on Binay-Trillanes debate: Sign of healthy democracy

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines –Malacañang on Sunday said it welcomes debates among politicians as a sign of a healthy democracy.

“Bahagi sa pagiging masigla ng isang demokrasya ang pagkakaroon ng mga public debate ng mga lider pulitika sa mga napapanahong usapin,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said over state-run radio when asked about Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s plan to face off.

(Public debates on current issues between political leaders is a component of a vibrant democracy.)

The two officials told the public that they were ready to face and answer each other’s accusations.

Binay has been on a defensive after Trillanes filed a resolution before Senate on the probe of the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall 2 Building.

Although not mentioning the two officials, Coloma said, “Hayaan po nating maganap ang mga talakayang magbibigay ng dagdag na kaalaman sa ating mga mamamayan.”

(Let us allow such discussions to happen to help inform our citizens.)

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III said Binay initiated a meeting where they talked about the probe and how it had affected the Vice President’s family.

Aquino said Binay wanted the Senate hearing to be terminated because he believed the proper forum was the Ombudsman.

The Vice President has repeatedly refused to face Senate, saying that he has already been prejudged by the lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said she was looking forward to the debate, which she hopes would be televised. She said seeing the gestures and expressions of the two officials on television would allow people to evaluate if they are telling the truth.

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