Marcos camp rejects Robredo’s debate challenge

MANILA – The camp of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday rejected Vice President Leni Robredo’s challenge to a debate, saying it will never happen.

“Sa debate na hamon kay presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos ay hindi ito kailanman mangyayari sa ilang kadahilanan. At batid ni Ginang Robredo ang mga kadahilanang ‘yan (The challenge against presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos will never happen for a number of reasons. And Mrs. Robredo knows these reasons),” Marcos Jr’s spokesman Vic Rodriguez said in a statement.

Rodriguez said that the two presidential hopefuls have differing beliefs in the way they communicate with the public.

He said Marcos’ camp engages in positive campaigning and addresses the public directly to impart its message of unity, while the “yellow” camp resorts to “negativity, deceit, and smearing.”

He also stressed the need for the public to see the candidates campaign “calmly” to bring them relief amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Sa panahon ng krisis sa ekonomiya na dulot ng pandemya ay malaking ginhawa marahil sa naghihirap na mamamayan ang makitang kalmado lang na nangangampanya at hindi nag-aaway at nagsisiraan ang mga taong naghahangad na mamuno sa bansa (In this time of economic crisis brought about by the pandemic, perhaps it would bring great relief to the public to see a calm way of campaigning and candidates aspiring to rule the country not resorting to mudslinging),” he said.

Earlier in the day, Robredo challenged Marcos to a debate, as it would provide an avenue for the public to ask him questions, particularly regarding the many controversies surrounding him.

Robredo noted that Marcos is the only presidential candidate who has not participated in debates with his rivals.

“Inaanyayahan ko si Ginoong Bongbong Marcos na makipagdebate, para mabigyan ang taumbayan ng pagkakataong makaharap siya at matanong tungkol sa mga kontrobersiyang pumapalibot sa kanya (I am inviting Mr. Bongbong Marcos to a debate in order to give the public a chance to face him and ask questions regarding the controversies surrounding him),” she said.