Bongbong was 'right' to decline debates during campaign — Duterte


President Duterte said Monday his successor, President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. did the right thing when he ditched interviews and debates when he was still campaigning for the highest seat in the country.

In his speech during the oath-taking ceremony of local government officials of his hometown Davao City, the outgoing President explained presidentiables only "had a limited time to talk" during the campaign.

Keith Bacongco

So, "Marcos was right" to "decline," Duterte said.

"We were only given half a minute or one minute and that’s it. You cannot even talk further... It was for show. It earns money for them at your expense sometimes," he added, referring to television networks that only supposedly benefited from the debates for airing them.

During the campaign, Marcos Jr. only selected debates and fora to attend to as his then spokesperson, lawyer and Executive Secretary-designate Vic Rodriguez, said they had a tight schedule.