A debate between presidential candidates Bongbong Marcos and Leni Robredo is "never going to happen", his spokesperson said Friday, hours after the vice president dared the son of the late dictator to a face-off.
Marcos and Robredo have different views about political debates and communicating platforms to the public, his spokesperson Vic Rodriguez said.
"Sa debate na hamon kay presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos ay hindi ito kailanman mangyayari sa ilang kadahilanan. At batid ni Ginang Robredo ang mga kadahilanang ‘yan," Rodriguez said in a statement.
Robredo on Friday challenged Marcos to a debate, saying "anytime, anywhere, darating ako."
READ: Bongbong Marcos: I'll Join Debates Only If My Schedule Permits
Marcos has so far attended only the debate organized by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's SMNI channel but has granted one-on-one interviews with different networks such as CNN Philippines and state broadcaster PTV.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, Rodriguez claimed that the public wanted to see "calm leaders" campaigning instead of mudslinging.
"Sa panahon ng krisis sa ekonomiya na dulot ng pandemya ay malaking ginhawa marahil sa naghihirap na mamamayan ang makitang kalmado lang na nangangampanya at hindi nag-aaway at nagsisiraan ang mga taong naghahangad na mamuno sa bansa," he said.
Marcos is the pre-election survey frontrunner based on the March poll of Pulse Asia followed by Robredo, who saw a surge in her ratings after holding mammoth rallies in different parts of the Philippines.
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