Looks like it's final.
Lawyer Vic Rodriguez confirmed in a statement Monday, March 14 that Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Bongbong Marcos won't be joining the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-sanctioned presidential debate this coming weekend.
“ I confirm our non-participation in the Comelec-sanctioned debate this coming Saturday, March 19, 2022," Rodriguez, Marcos's spokesperson, said.
"Presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos’ words are his bond, thus we shall honor our commitment to our supporters to be with them on the field on this day," he said.
"We shall continue with our preferred mode of direct communication with the people and engage them in a more personal face to face interaction that discusses real issues that affect them today, tomorrow and in the days to come as this election is all about our collective future," added Rodriguez.
Marcos, who last held public office as a senator from 2010 to 2016, has been very picky when it comes to granting invitations for debates or interviews ahead of the May 9, 2022 elections.
His camp said last month that Marcos would rather not attend debates wherein the participants would be made to argue against each other.
His running mate in the polls, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte made a similar statement over the weekend regarding her own non-participation in the Comelec debates for vice presidential candidates.
Marcos and Duterte comprise the so-called UniTeam tandem.