MANILA–Arrangements for the much-awaited debate between Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV are underway, but the date and venue have yet to be settled.
This was disclosed by Binay’s political spokesman Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla; even as he noted that November 27 is the only available date in the Vice President’s hectic schedule.
Remulla said that he already proposed this date to officials of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), the group organizing and hosting the debate.
Speaking to reporters from the Inquirere, Remulla said that “the Vice President plans his schedules two months in advance,” which is also the reason they could not concede to Trillianes’proposal to hold the debate on November 22.
Binay’s camp further slammed Trillianes’ request to set the date for the 22nd, saying that it was as though he was “bullying” the Vice President and the KBP to agree to his conditions.
Remulla likewise stressed that Binay was committed to making sure that the debate takes place, as the Vice President is eager to defend himself against the corruption charges being flung at him.
The Vice President’s camp also alleged that Trillianes wanted to back out of the debate.
Reacting to this, Trillinaes said: “Call. I will bend backwards again just so that this debate would finally push through,” Trillanes said in a statement issued by his staff on Wednesday.
Remulla said that KBP is still trying to decide on an appropriate venue for the debate, but that he has suggested the Philamlife Theater on UN Avenue in Manila or the plenary hall of the GSIS building on East Avenue, Quezon City.
All parties involved have agreed on two things: that the debate should be held at 10 a.m., and on the four main issues to be discussed.
The four main issues have not yet been divulged.
It was Binay who challenged Trillanes to a public debate to thresh out the corruption charges against him.