Duterte not OK with debates but vows attendance if urged

MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte on Monday said he refuses to join debates with presidential aspirants but clarified that he may attend if he will be forced.

For Duterte who recently expressed intention to run, nothing happens in debates but he said if he is forced he is willing to discuss anything.

“Ayokong makipag-debate sa kanila... Debate debate. Wala namang mangyayari,” Duterte said during a press briefing in Greenhills, San Juan on Monday.

''Pero kung pipilitin nila ako, ok lang. We'll talk everything under the sun," he added.

Duterte said that he does not attend even when invited in debates in Davao. He added that he is already satisfied with presenting his government platform.

''Basta ako, iyan ang gawin ko, iyan lang, iyan ang program ko. Alisin ko ang droga, criminality, graft and corruption sa gobyerno. I'll fix government,''  Duterte said.

Last September, the Commission on Elections said it intends to conduct presidential and vice-presidential debates and even for local posts for the 2016 polls.

In October, Comelec Chair Andres Bautista finalized the debate plans and set the three presidential debates to be held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The first debate was scheduled on February 21 in Mindanao, second on March 20 in Visayas and the third on April 24 in Luzon.

Bautista said the candidates are not required to attend the debates but he stressed the attendance will reflect their seriousness in running for the top post.