Immediately after Vice President Leni Robredo issued a one-on-one debate challenge to presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., the son and namesake of the late dictator and kleptocrat, immediately thumbed down the challenge.
Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, Marcos Jr.’s spokesperson, said there are reasons known to Robredo why his boss cannot accept the dare.
In a CNN Philippines interview, the son and namesake of the late dictator and kleptocrat said he does not need a spokesperson once he becomes president. Rodriguez remains Marcos Jr.’s spokesperson
“Sa debate na hamon kay presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos ay hindi ito kailanman mangyayari sa ilang kadahilanan,” Rodriguez said. “At batid ni Ginang Robredo ang mga kadahilanang ‘yan.”
While Rodriguez insisted that Marcos and his entire slate have always been doing “positive” campaigning and has not engaged in mudslinging, he insulted Robredo’s camp in the same statement and accused their political opponents of deception without presenting any evidence.
“Positibong pangangampanya at walang paninira ang gabay ng UniTeam ni Bongbong Marcos. At derecho sa taumbayan ang mga mensahe nito at ang panawagan ng pagkakaisa,” he said.
“Pawang mga negatibo, panlilinlang at paninira naman ang sa kampo ng dilawan,” he added, referring to the term used to describe Robredo and Liberal Party’s supporters. — Ronald Espartinez