BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR and PETER TABINGO
PRESIDENTIAL candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate in the May 9 elections, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, are skipping debates to be hosted by CNN Philippines due to conflict in schedule.
But Marcos is attending a presidential debate hosted by the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) owned by pastor Apollo Quiboloy who recently endorsed Marcos and the presidential daughter, and forums organized by radio stations DZRH and DZBB, said Marcos spokesman Vic Rodriguez.
Most of the other presidential candidates are skipping the SMNI event scheduled today, leaving Marcos with possibly only one candidate to debate with — unionist and labor leader Leody de Guzman.
Opposition presidential candidate Vice Leni Robredo, Sen. Panfilo Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente, Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao, and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso are not attending the SMNI event.
De Guzman said he is looking forward to debating Marcos after the latter declined the CNN invitation.
“Ayaw ni Marcos Jr. na sumama sa anumang harapan o tapatan sa ibang mga kandidato.
Kampante siya na pangalagaan ang kanyang kalamangan sa mga survey. Iniiwasan niya rin na malantad ang pagiging walang laman ng islogan niyang `unity’ (Marcos Jr. is ducking a debate with other candidates. He is doing all he can to preserve his supposed lead based on poll surveys. He is worried that his opponents would expose how empty his `unity’ slogan is),” De Guzman said.
De Guzman also said Marcos’ concept of unity is the absence of dissent against his plans.
“Pagkakaisa para saan, para kanino, at papaano? Kung hindi sasagutin ang mga tanong, mauuwi tayo simpleng “nakaisa”. Pagkakaisa para walang kokontra sa pag-akyat niya sa pagkapangulo (Unity for what? How? And for whose benefit? Unless he cannot address these questions, his campaign would boil down to “nakaisa” (hoodwinked). His idea of unity is a smooth ride to the presidency without any kind of opposition),” he said.
Robredo’s camp said the Vice President will not not be able participate in the SMNI debate because of a prior commitment.
“Leni Robredo has a proven track record of attending debates and interviews regardless of the personal histories or affiliations of its sponsors. Unfortunately, the VP already has a long standing commitment to meet with leaders and supporters in Panay Island on the date this event was scheduled,” said Robredo’s spokesman Ibarra Gutierrez.
Gutierrez also said Robredo “will definitely be present for all the upcoming Comelec-sponsored and accredited debates.”
‘COMMON SENSE’
Lacson said, “With all due respect and giving regard to common sense, SP Tito Sotto and I are skipping the SMNI debates. The network’s chairman, Pastor Quiboloy has already openly endorsed his preferred presidential and vice-presidential candidates,” he said on Twitter.
Pacquiao said he will not attend the SMNI debates because of its link to Quiboloy who was earlier indicted by United States prosecutors for sex trafficking.
He said he cannot ignore the magnitude of the criminal offenses leveled against the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC) pastor.
Quiboloy was accused of sex trafficking women and sexually abusing minors together with several other KoJC officials.
He said he is “compelled” to decline SMNI invitation because Quiboloy, “according to the US government, has molested and abused children.”
“I cannot, in good conscience, be part of any activity organized by a man wanted for detestable crimes and who unconscionably used the name of the Lord in vain for religious scams,” Pacquiao said.
The boxing icon also cited his pending libel and cyber-libel case against Quiboloy for airing allegations online accusing Pacquiao of misusing public funds.
Moreno’s campaign manager Lito Banayo said the mayor and his team are scheduled to go to Samar today.
CNN Philippines said nine presidential and eight vice presidential candidates have confirmed attendance to the February 26 and 27 events.
They are Robredo, Lacson, Moreno, Pacquiao, De Guzman, ex-presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, Jose Montemayor Jr., former defense chief Norberto Gonzales, and Faisal Mangondato.
For the debate for vice presidential bets on February 26, attending are Sotto, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Rep. Lito Atienza, ex-Rep. Walden Bello, Willie Ong, Manny SD Lopez, Rizalito David, and Carlos Serapio, CNN said.
Marcos in January skipped an interview by journalist Jessica Soho whom his camp accused of being biased. He also skipped a presidential forum organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas due to a conflict of schedule.
He, however, attended an interview by broadcaster Korina Sanchez.
Rodriguez later on said Marcos is not keen on attending presidential debates where candidates would be pitted against each other and which could lead to fights. He said the public is already tired of mudslinging and prefers to listen to the solutions to the country’s problems.
Marcos, Abella and Mongondato have yet to confirm their participation in the election interview series “Catholic E-Forum” which is scheduled to run from February 14 to April 29 and organized by church-based organizations.
“All were invited. The Church is non-partisan. Thus, it is important for everyone to have the equal opportunity to be heard and to be asked on crucial issues concerning the country,” said Clifford Sorita of Radio Veritas. — With Raymond Africa and Gerard Naval