PROMDI standard bearer Sen. Manny Pacquiao has called out former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to a one-on-one debate after the latter belittled the platform of his opponents in the presidential race as having little substance.
The retired eight division boxing champ said he is willing to give Marcos all he has been asking for, including advanced information on questions and topics, and to do the debate without an audience just so the latter can prove he has a better platform.
He only asked that the topics include ill-gotten wealth, Marcos Jr.’s accomplishments during his years in various government posts, and the tax evasion case the former senator faced.
“Okay sa akin, mag-debate kaming dalawa lang. Tingnan natin kung ano ang plataporma niya, kung ano ang plataporma ko (I don’t have any problem engaging him in a debate. Let us see if her has a better platform than mine),” he told reporters in Tagaytay City.
Marcos has refused to attend several presidential debates including the most recent one organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) but appeared on a TV interview to criticize his opponents and their platforms.
Pacquiao told reporters he will agree to a closed-door debate just in case Marcos has an issue about speaking in public.
“Baka alanganin siya, baka marami nag-a-attend ng debate. Baka mahiyain siya. One-on-one na lang, para malaman ng taumbayan ang plataporma ko at plataporma niya (Perhaps he feels intimidated by a big crowd. Maybe he is shy. I have no problem meeting him one-on-one just so we can given the public an opportunity to compare our respective platforms of governance),” he said.
