If "UniTeam" member Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is to be believed, then her and former senator Bongbong Marcos's absence in their respective pre-election debates this past weekend was just a coincidence.
In an ambush interview at a Pasay City hotel on Tuesday, March 1, vice presidential candidate Duterte-Carpio said that she and Marcos don't talk about debates at all.
"No, we do not discuss the matter of debates between me and Apo BBM," she said, referring to the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Marcos.
This was the presidential daughter's answer to a reporter who asked if she considers or takes into account Marcos's stand about debates when deciding whether or not to attend such event herself.
Duterte-Carpio, chairperson of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), didn't attend a televised debate for vice presidential candidates held at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) last Saturday, Feb. 26.
Marcos also didn't show up for another debate in UST, this time for presidential aspirants, the next day, Sunday, Feb. 27. CNN Philippines organized both events.
The ex-senator's camp had earlier said that they're not keen on attending debates that would only pit the May 2022 election candidates in an argument. They're also very particular about the format of the debate.
Marcos and Duterte-Carpio comprise the UniTeam--an alliance of personalities who have a strong supporter base from either the north or south of the country. They have consistently led surveys for president and vice president, respectively, in the lead-up to the May 9 polls.