Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Friday, March 4, said he is okay whether the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will release general topics ahead of the debate or not.

“With or without, I’m okay. Ang importante lang, at least marinig kami lahat ng mga kandidato ng tao. Ayun ang tingin ko (What is important is for the people to meet and listen to all the candidates. That's how I look at it) ,” Domagoso said in an ambush interview.

Aksyon Demokratiko campaign strategist Lito Banayo had earlier hit former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for not attending the debates and called him a “coward."

“Malinaw na malinaw na kaya ayaw niya o umiiwas siya sa mga debate ay dahil marami siyang itinatago. So, sa madaling salita, duwag si Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (It is very clear that he does not want or he avoids debates because he is hiding many things. So in other words, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is a coward),” he said in a press conference on Thursday, March 3.

Domagoso, however, said Banayo is entitled to his own opinion.

“Well, ‘yung opinion niya (his opinion) may be different from mine. Like your opinion. Everybody is entitled to his own opinion. I already answered the question, so okay lang (it is fine) with or without,” the Manila mayor added.

“Karapatan niyang tingin niya sabihin niya ‘yung pakiramdam niya (He has the right to say what he feels or think). In our group, everybody is entitled to their beliefs and opinion. What matters most is that pag kami nagkakampanya, nag iikot, sama-sama, hanggat maari, tapos lahat cooperative, ayun happy na ako ng ganon (when we campaign, we go around as a team and everyone is cooperative, I am happy with that).”


Meanwhile, Domagoso said he is not yet sure if he will attend the second presidential debate organized by Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).