Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo will be skipping the debate hosted by Sonshine Media Network, International (SMNI) on Tuesday, Feb. 15, citing conflict of schedule.
SMNI is owned by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ who is on the FBI’s “most wanted list.” He is also President Duterte’s spiritual adviser.
Robredo’s spokesman Barry Gutierrez said the Vice President will not be able to attend the debate because of her “long standing commitment” to meet with leaders and supporters in Panay Island on the same day.
“She will be unable to attend this privately sponsored event, but will definitely be present for all the upcoming Comelec sponsored and accredited debates,” he said in a statement.
This is the first time that Robredo will skip a presidential debate.
Earlier, she was supposed to miss the DZRH presidential interviews because of a conflict in her schedule.
But after netizens alleged that she backed out because of one of the panelists was her known critic, Prof. Antonio Contreras, Robredo explained that she was willing to set the date if DZRH will allow it.
She appeared before the panelists on Feb. 4.
Robredo has attended all presidential forums and interviews, including the ones by Jessica Soho, Boy Abunda, Korina Sanchez-Roxas, DZBB Teleradyo, and Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).
“Leni Robredo has a proven track record of attending debates and interviews regardless of the personal histories or affiliations of its sponsors,” Gutierrez noted.
The Vice President is also set to be at CNN’s presidential debate on Feb. 27, as well as the ones to be hosted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The camp of Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Robredo’s running mate, also confirmed he won’t be attending the SMNI debate as he will be in Panay with Robredo.