Bongbong on attending forums, debates: Only if my schedule permits

Presidential candidate and former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he is committing to presidential forums and debates only if his schedule permits.

“Kapag nag-oo ako na sasali ay tutuparin ko kahit sino ang nag-imbita at kahit gaano man ka-hostile ang inaasahan kong mga tanong [If I say yes, I will be committed to that despite who invited us and even if there are hostile questions that I need to answer]," Marcos said in a statement.

"But I commit and say yes only if my schedules will permit."

The son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. has been criticized for his absence in The Jessica Soho's Presidential Interviews and the forum organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).

He has also declined to join the presidential debates organized by CNN Philippines scheduled on February 27.

Marcos' spokesman, Attorney Vic Rodriguez, earlier said they are checking first the format of the forum as they are not inclined to join if it would just pit candidates against each other.

SMNI

Marcos, meanwhile, confirmed his attendance to the presidential debates that will be hosted by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) that is scheduled on Tuesday night.

"I made a commitment to join the SMNI event and, in fact, I’ve signed the agreement for my attendance,” Marcos said.

Other presidential candidates --  Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno -- will skip the SMNI debates, while labor leader Leody de Guzman has also confirmed his attendance.

The presidential debate hosted by SMNI is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15, while the vice presidential debate is on February 22.

Marcos said he respects the decision of other candidates not to join the SMNI event.

"Maybe each of them has good reason to skip the event. I respect their decisions as I felt they have respected mine when I failed to attend similar forum in the past,” he said. —KBK, GMA News