A WORD war has erupted between the camps of presidential aspirants Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., sparked by their opposing stands regarding the ground rules of the face-to-face debates being organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez had earlier announced that candidates who will participate will be informed of the topics to be discussed in the debates.
Reacting to the Comelec announcement, Pacquiao said he believes it would be better that all topics and questions be kept a secret to test the mettle of all 10 presidential bets and their respective running mates.
He added that a candidate who refuses to engage opponents by dodging debates is signifying he is ill-prepared to handle the responsibility of the presidency and should not be taken seriously.
Pacquiao avoided mentioning any name in any of his statements on the subject although among all his opponents, it is survey frontrunner Marcos who has begged off several times from attending debates or fora that would have pitted him against other aspirants.
Sought for reaction by members of the media, Marcos chief of staff and spokesperson Vic Rodriguez zeroed in on the former boxing champ, chiding Pacquiao for his “sudden bravery” in joining debates while saying the senator went gun shy on the Senate floor.
“He (Pacquiao) was given a full six-years mandate to showcase his debating prowess but he was too shy to take up those challenges made by some intellectual giants in the Senate,” Rodriguez said.
He likewise counselled Pacquiao to just focus on his own campaign.
In reply, Pacquiao’s spokesperson and legal counsel for special concerns Nikki de Vega said the senator’s statements were factual.
“He was merely stating the obvious — that a true leader must be courageous to face his people, despite all odds and even if it is inconvenient for him. Hindi dapat naduduwag. (There’s no room for cowardice.),” she pointed out.
She added that Pacquiao’s performance as a legislator is a public record.
“The records will show that Sen. Pacquiao has served the nation well, in and out of Senate, whether they be in the form of debates during sessions or building homes for the less fortunate using his own money, among others,” De Vega said.
Her parting shot to the Marcos camp: “I wish to emphasize that all the fortune that Sen. Pacquiao used to serve the people came from his sweat and blood. I hope that other candidates can brazenly say the same thing.”
