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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Pacquiao dares Palace seat rivals: 'Let's have face-to-face debates'

Pacquiao dares Palace seat rivals: 'Let's have face-to-face debates'

Published Feb 15, 2022 05:49 pm

Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday, Feb. 15 urged neutral and non-partisan groups to organize face-to-face debates among presidential aspirants ahead of the May 9 elections.

Senator Manny Pacquiao during his proclamation Speech

Pacquiao, who represents PROMDI Party and PDP-Laban (Pimentel Wing), underscored the importance of debates in giving voters a venue to determine the competence and sincerity of the canddiates.

He said face-to-face forums would also provide the candidate the opportunity to explain their platform of government and policy positions.

The Mindanaoan senator urged neutral and non-partisan groups like the Commission on Elections (Comelec) or the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) to organize the face-to-face debates to dispel any claim of bias for or against a candidate.

According to Pacquiao, although he is happy to share his visions and aspirations for the country in various media fora, talk shows, and interviews, these are not enough to give the electorate a full and unadulterated preview of the true character and the qualities of the presidential aspirants.

“ I’m challenging my fellow presidential candidates: let us have a face-to-face debate. Mas mabuti para sa bayan na tayo ay magharap-harap upang ibahagi ang ating mga posisyon tungkol sa mga pangunahing isyung pambayan. Iba pa rin po kapag face-to-face ang debate dahil dito natin malalaman kung sino ang tunay na tapat at sino ang nagpapanggap (It is better for our country for us to face each other and share our positions on leading issues that affect the country. A face-to-face debate is better because it is here where they can determine who is sincere and phony),” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao said the electorate should be wary of candidates who refuse to face their rivals and avoid public scrutiny as this is a foreboding sign that they are either incompetent or have too many skeletons in the closet which they do not want to be exposed in a no-holds-barred debate.

Pacquiao said that while it is not required by law, attending these face-to-face debates is a very important responsibility for anyone seeking the highest and most powerful position in the country.

Related Tags

presidential non-partisan neutral Face-to-face 21522 debates Manny Pacquiao
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