Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Ferdinand Gaite on Sunday asked the public if presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. cannot defend himself in interviews, then how he can do the same to the Filipinos should he win in the upcoming elections.

"Paano niyo aasahan ipagtanggol at ipaglaban tayo ni Marcos, e di nga niya kayang humarap para ipagtanggol at ipaliwanag ang sarili niya kay Jessica Soho? (How can Marcos Jr. defend and fight for us, if he cannot face Jessica Soho to defend and explain himself?)" Gaite said in a statement.

This came after Marcos Jr. did not join GMA News' The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews aired Saturday, while four of his rival aspiring leaders granted the event. Marcos Jr.'s camp on Saturday reportedly said it would be granting instead the interview of TV host Boy Abunda to be aired next week.

For Gaite, Marcos Jr. has a lot of explaining to do, including his role during his father's martial law as well as his plans for the country.

"For his followers and non-followers alike, knowing the performance, track-record and vision of the candidate gunning for the highest elective position is obviously necessary," the progressive lawmaker said.

Gaite called on the presidential aspirant's supporters to "demand to know" what Marcos Jr. has done and "not simply rely on unvalidated social media and the achievements of their parents or families."

"Alamin ninyo ang tindig nila sa mahahalagang usapin ng bayan para masulosyunan ang problema ng pandemya, kahirapan, katiwalian, at kasarinlan na kaya nilang ipaliwanag at panindigan na hindi lamang binabasa sa idiot board (Know their stand on different issues that need to be addressed, like the pandemic, poverty, corruption and sovereignty without them needing to read their script from the idiot board)," he said.