Bongbong won't join debates meant to cause fighting among candidates, says spox

Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will not join presidential forums that will have candidates debate each other, his spokesperson said Wednesday.

In a television interview, lawyer Vic Rodriguez said they would first study the format of the show to determine if Marcos would participate or not.

Rodriguez stressed that they are not avoiding these platforms but only want to engage in discussions that would talk about solutions to the country's problems.

"Pagod na ang sambayanang Pilipino sa bangayan. Pagod na ang tao sa awayan. Ngayon kung tayo ay maglalagay lang ng forum para mag-enjoy at makitang nag-aaway si 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 candidates, hindi kami sasali diyan. Dahil alam namin ang gustong marinig ng taumbayan ay solusyon dito sa problemang ating kinahaharap," Rodriguez told ANC.

(Filipinos are tired of bickering candidates. If the forum will only have candidates bicker with each other, we will not join them. We know that the public wants to hear solutions to the problems we are facing.)

Rodriguez likened this to a job application as he noted that when the candidates are "applying" for the highest position in the government, they should not be "debating" during an interview.

"To my mind, sinasabi niyo sila ay mga applicant for the highest position in the land, president. Hindi ba kapag naga-apply ka diyan sa inyong istasyon, hindi ka naman para makapag-debate sa management kundi magpapa-interview ka. It should be a presidential interview other than a debate," he said.

(You are saying that they are applicants applying for the highest position in the country. When you apply, you will not debate with the management during interviews, right?)

"Hindi ka naman makikipagtalo sa magiging mga amo mo. Magpapa-interview ka, and let your bosses or management choose among the best, and let them decide," he added.

(You will let yourself be interviewed and let your bosses or management choose among the best, and let them decide.)

Marcos had skipped the presidential interview with veteran GMA Network journalist Jessica Soho and the presidential forum organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).

GMA Network has defended Soho, saying throughout her career, she has consistently been named the most trusted media personality in the Philippines by both local and foreign organizations.

The son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., Marcos had said that any media that is "anti-Marcos" is "biased." Despite his absences in the interviews, he insisted he is not a coward. —KBK, GMA News