Leni to skip Comelec interview but dares Bongbong to a debate

Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday challenged former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., one of her rivals in the May 9 presidential race,  to a debate.

"Kung papayag po kayo, anytime, anywhere, darating ako [If you will accept my challenge, anytime, anywhere, I will be there]," Robredo said in a statement.

Robredo issued the challenge as she announced that she could not attend the presidential panel interview organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).

"Nagpasya akong hindi muna paunlakan ang imbitasyon ng Comelec at KBP para makapiling ang mga volunteers natin na nag-aabono, nag-aambagan, at nagbubuhos ng oras at pagod para makasama tayo," Robredo said.

(I've decided to decline the invitation by the Comelec and KBP so that I could be with my volunteers who have invested time, money and energy just to be with me.)

In issuing her challenge, Robredo pointed out that Marcos had skipped several presidential debates in the past.

"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," she said.

(I'm inviting Mr. Bongbong Marcos to a debate so that the public will have a chance to ask him questions regarding the controversies hounding him.)

Marcos, who lost to Robredo in the 2016 vice presidential race, had declined to attend the presidential interview organized by GMA Network, the KBP's forum, the CNN Philippines' presidential debates, and upcoming panel interview by Comelec.

Marcos, however, attended the presidential debates of the Quiboloy-led SMNI.

In response to Robredo’s challenge, Attorney Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ spokesman, said the debate between the two presidential candidates would 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,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

(That debate will never happen for many reasons, and Mrs. Robredo is aware of those reasons.)

Marcos' camp earlier said he prefers to allot his time campaigning instead of attending debates. —KBK, GMA News