Top 2 Presidential Bets Agrees a One-On-One Debate Challenge

February 15, 2010 · Posted in Philippine News

Sen. Benigno Aquino III impose and challenge his counterpart and primary rival Sen. Manny Villar to have an exclusive one-on-one debate for them to let and help the Filipino people decide and to judge who among them is really sincere and the right person to become the next president of the Philippines.

It was all started during an interview at the sidelines of the FOCAP presidential forum when Aquino issued a challenge to his toughest rival. He said that the candidates cannot discuss and elaborate their platforms more when many aspirants participate in a forum and a lack of time.

Aquino believes a one-on-one debate would be a good idea since a candidate can explain his/her platforms without limitations. The challenge clearly addresses to his primary rival Sen. Manuel Villar. The two candidates currently hold the no. 1 and 2 spots on the initial survey with a very slim margin that separates each of them.

Meanwhile, Villar finally accepted Aquino’s challenge and said that public debates are an opportunity “to present plans and programs of government to the general public.”

“If such were the purpose of the challenge, I will gladly accede. Name the place, name the time, I will be there. If however, it is the intention of anyone -individual or party – to find a platform for senseless argumentation and mudslinging with the hope of calling attention unto oneself, then I will have to decline,” he added.

Other presidential bets shows interest in the one-on-one debate challenge are former defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Senators Richard Gordon and Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, Nicanor Perlas, JC de los Reyes and Eddie Villanueva.