Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., a.k.a BBM, a Presidential candidate, will not participate in the Commission on Elections presidential debate (Comelec).

“I confirm our non-participation in the Comelec-sanctioned debate this coming Saturday, March 19, 2022,” Rodriguez stated, Marcos’ spokesperson.

“We shall continue with our preferred mode of direct communication with the people and engage them in a more personal face to face interaction that discusses real issues that affect them today, tomorrow and in the days to come as this election is all about our collective future,” he added.

Marcos’ camp stated previous month that he would prefer not to participate in discussions in which the contestants would be forced to argue against one another.

Marcos, who served as a senator from 2010 to 2016, is extremely selective in terms of giving invitations to debates and interviews in the run-up to the May 9, 2022 elections.

Senator Imee Marcos recommended her brother to attend in the televised debate to respond to “all” of the accusations, according to a radio show with DWIZ on Saturday.

“Answer all their criticisms. After all, we have faced all our cases. We answer all the criticisms. He can easily do that,” Imee Marcos said.

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Marcos’ running mate, made a similar remark about her non-participation in the Comelec debates for Vice Presidential candidates.

The so-called UniTeam duo consists of Marcos and Duterte.

Six of the ten presidential candidates have guaranteed to attend the Commission on Elections (Comelec) PiliPinas Debates in writing, while three others have pledged orally. Read more here.

The following candidates had written commitments to attend the debates are Former Foreign Affairs undersecretary Ernesto Abella, Labor leader Leody De Guzman, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Former Defense secretary Norberto Gonzales and Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Meanwhile, Businessman Faisal Mangondato, Lawyer and Doctor Jose Montemayor Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo have confirmed their participation in the debates via verbal confirmation. – WhatALife!

Source: (pna.gov.ph)

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