Presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos’ camp clarified that there will be no debating between Vice President Leni Robredo and the dictator’s son.
Marcos’ spokesperson Atty. Vic Rodriguez said that the former senator sends his advocacy of unity.
“Nauunawaan ko ang kabiguang naramdaman ni Ginang Robredo na makaharap sa isang pagtatalo at bangayan si presidential frontrunner na si Bongbong Marcos,” Rodriguez said in a statement.
“Maaari po na silang dalawa, na parehong naghangad na maging pangulo ng republika, ay magkaiba ng paniniwala hinggil sa pamamaraan ng pakikipagtalastasan sa mamamayan,” he added.
Rodriguez said that the Marcos camp will continue with “positive campaigning” but accused the “yellows” of using deception to win over voters.
“Positibong pangangampanya at walang paninira ang gabay ng UniTeam ni Bongbong Marcos. At derecho sa taumbayan ang mga mensahe nito at ang panawagan ng pagkakisa. Pawang mga negatibo, panlilinlang at paninira naman ang sa kampo ng dilawan,” Rodriguez said.
Robredo earlier announced that she won’t participate in the upcoming Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and Comelec presidential panel interviews as her remaining sorties have already been scheduled but challenged Marcos to a one-on-one debate.
“Sa puntong ito, isang kandidato na lang ang hindi pa humaharap sa taumbayan sa isang debate kasama ang lahat ng ibang kandidato. Mahalaga sana ito para masuri kami ng publiko, at para marinig nila at mapagkumpara ang vision at pagkatao namin,” Robredo said in a statement.
“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 added.
Marcos’ refusal to take on Robredo was expected as he has skipped debates in the past.
Tigre ng Norte said “meow”
— Jules Guiang (@julesguiang) April 29, 2022
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BBM should accept VP Leni’s challenge for the sake of the people in order to know the country’s roadmap. It’s about time or past time. https://t.co/zC9JOLGrXu
— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) April 29, 2022
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— dianne 👻 (@mysweetcupoftea) April 29, 2022
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— AZ Yumul, MD. (@AZthromycin) April 29, 2022
Robredo’s performance in presidential surveys has seen significant improvement but Marcos remains the favorite to win the race.