Hugpong ng Pagbabago urged: Set rules on public debate

MANILA, Philippines — Some members of the opposition senatorial slate Otso Diretso on Wednesday called on its rival senatorial party Hugpong ng Pagbabago to set the rules on their looming public debate.

Opposition senatorial candidates, veteran lawyer Romulo Macalintal and former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, asked HNP’s campaign manager Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and the administration bets to lay down the rules for the supposed public debate including the time, date, venue and even the format.

“Kami naman nakahanda kahit ano. Nakahanda [kami] diyan para matuloy lang (We are prepared for anything. We are prepared just so it will push through),” Macalintal said.

The opposition bets said they just want to tackle the issues to help the public make a choice in the May 2019 polls.

Hilbay said the debate is really for the people and not the candidates.

“Kami naman, gusto lang namin makipagtalakayan. Hindi naman kami nagyayabang, hindi kami nag-papasikat (We just want to have a discussion with them. We’re not boasting, we’re not being snotty),” Hilbay said.

“Naisip lang talaga namin yung debate is way para malaman ng tao ‘yung kung ano talaga yung mga issues, kung sino yung tumatakbo at kung ano yung tinatayuan nila du’n sa iba-ibang mga bagay (We just thought that the debate is a way for the public to know the issues, who are the candidates running and what are their stands on various matters),” he added.

The idea to hold a public debate for senatorial candidates floated after Otso Diretso senatorial aspirant Chel Diokno suggested one and set it at Plaza Miranda in Manila on the day commemorating the EDSA Revolution anniversary on Monday. He made the suggestion after the president’s daughter, Sara, said that HNP candidates are open to public debates.

The public debate, however, did not push through as HNP members skipped the debate.

On Monday, Sara said she prefers a more organized debate where agreements are met between parties over one that is “palengke-style.”

'We didn't plan on having palengke-style debate'

Macalintal, however, denied setting a “palengke-style” debate.

“Ni hindi sumagi sa isip namin na para lang palengke-style ang gagawin naming — tagisan ng mga pag-iisip (It never crossed our mind that the debate will be public market-style — it’s a battle of the brains),” he said.

The lawyer and senatorial aspirant also defended Plaza Miranda as their initial choice of venue, citing that it reaches the masses.

“Ang medyo masakit lang nu’n parang balewala sa kanya ‘yung palengke-style na sinasabi niya. E alam naman niya na ‘yung mga masa ay talagang gusto kami marinig ng sabay-sabay (It pains me that she (Sara) shrugged off the public market-style debate she’s saying. She knows that the masses wants to hear us),” Macalintal said.

“Now if she wants it done on public market or anywhere, we’re amenable just so the issues will be tackled,” he added in Filipino.

Macalintal cited that rallies are usually held in public that is why senatorial debates should also be done in public.

Despite the differences in beliefs, the Otso Diretso candidates stood by their challenge against HNP.

“Just tell us where and we’ll attend,” Macalintal said.