Hugpong ng Pagbabago bets no show at Otso Diretso's debate invite

MANILA, Philippines — Opposition candidates on Monday said that Hugpong ng Pagbabago Senate bets lost a good opportunity to air their stance on pressing issues when they snubbed their debate invite.

Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list) and lawyers Chel Diokno, Florin Hilbay, Romulo Macalintal and Erin Tañada showed up at Plaza Miranda noon on Monday — the time and date they set for the debate — but not one of the Hugpong bets showed up.

“What are they afraid of?” said the five out of eight “Otso Diretso” candidates in a statement.

“They missed the chance to speak to the nation, to explain their platform, and to be forthright about their intentions for seeking a Senate seat," Hilbay added.

READ: Otso Diretso sets debate vs Hugpong slate on EDSA revolution anniversary

Since the opposition bets issued their invite for a debate last week, the Hugpong ng Pagbabago ticket — led by their campaign adviser, presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte — has not issued a statement on whether they would accept or reject the challenge.

But Duterte said that the Hugpong candidates are "willing" to engage in debates, pointing out that some were active in debates set by media outlets.

Former journalist Jiggy Manicad and former political adviser Francis Tolentino echoed this.

Meanwhile, Sen. Sonny Angara took to Twitter and said that while he is “game,” he would rather engage Tañada in a debate at the Senate hall in July.

Partner game ako. Pero mas maganda ata sa Senado tayo mag debate sa July. #59Tanada #KapitLang ????

— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) February 21, 2019

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, meanwhile, was quoted in news reports last week as saying that she prefers campaigns instead of debates “that take too long.”

Some Hugpong candidates were at a campaign rally in Bulacan in the morning and then moved to Valenzuela on the afternoon.

Senators craft laws

Diokno stressed that talking about issues that concern the people is essential for a senator whose main task is to craft laws. A senator's work is not measured by how big a campaign tarpaulin is, he added. 

Alejano, for his part, directly challenged former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go and asked him to explain the administration’s approach on the West Philippine Sea.

In the debate hosted by ABS-CBN on Sunday night, Macalintal stressed that attending debates is a must for senators.  

READ: LIVE updates: 2019 Senatorial Debate

— Kristine Joy Patag