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Tañada challenges Angara to pre-election debate but senator says ‘#NotAtMyExpense’


Former Deputy Speaker Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada has challenged fellow candidate Senator Sonny Angara to a public debate before the May elections, but the latter said he would rather not take on the challenge.

In a tweet, Tañada, part of the opposition's Otso Diretso senatorial slate, challenged re-electionist Angara of the administration's Hugpong ng Pagbabago to debate on various issues at the Plaza Miranda in Manila on February 25 to commemorate the 33rd year of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

"We welcome Mayor’s Sarah statement that the administration candidates are ready to debate with the opposition. If this is true, I would like to debate with my friend and former colleague Sen @sonnyangara I hope he shows up on Feb. 25 at 12nn at Plaza Miranda. See you Sen Sonny," tweeted Tañada.

Angara initially welcomed Tañada’s call but said he would rather debate with Tañada in July in the Senate if the two of them end up winning in the May 2019 senatorial race.

Tañada, however, was not receptive and said: “Bakit pa kailangan maghintay pa sa July? Mas hinihintay ng mga botante ngayong Lunes na pag-usapan ang iba’t-ibang isyu ng bayan.... lalo na ang presyo ng mga bilihin, minimum wage, tobacco tax at iba pa."

This reply prompted Angara to snap back and tell Tañada that each candidate should be able to communicate their qualifications to the people outside of debates.

“#notatmyexpense pards rise and fall on your own merits pls #kapitlang," Angara tweeted.

Angara said in an earlier interview that debates can also be constricting to candidates.

“There are debate formats when there are too many candidates [that would have to speak] and in so little a time. I prefer having it with just three candidates at the same time, mas nakakapagpaliwanag kami ng husto,” Angara said.

“I don't want to go when there are 20 candidates at the same time. That is just conductive for sound bites,” Angara added.

Hugpong’s campaign manager and founder, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, earlier said that Hugpong bets are ready have been active in participating in various senatorial debates hosted by different media organizations.

"Willing naman 'yung mga Senators ng Hugpong [na makipag-debate]...active sila sa mga debates organized by media outlets," she said.

The exchange between Tañada and Angara garned varying reactions from netizens, with some siding with the former Quezon congressman and others with the senator.

"I was really hoping sir [Angara] that you'll answer more intelligently than this. Cong. Erin was right to invite you to a debate forum during this campaign period. As simple as that," said @gerald_santos_. Others called Angara "duwag" or coward for not taking up Tañada's challenge.

Another netizen rushed to Angara's side: "Grabe mga trolls! Naglabasan para siraan si Angara. Di lang pumayag eh mas masahol pa sa hayop kung makacomment. Nanggagamit lang yan si Tanada kasi nasa dulo ng mga surveys. Wala pagasa manalo." — MDM, GMA News

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