Duterte, Poe, Roxas in entertaining ‘warm-up’ during debate delay 

CEBU CITY - It is a rare occurrence to have presidential candidates up on one stage, thus the appeal of gathering them for a debate.

But a real treat was seen before broadcast at the second PiliPinas 2016 Presidential Debates, when the candidates entertained the audience while organizers and the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay settled a "mix-up" over a debate rule.

The candidates—Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Grace Poe, and former Interior Sec. Mar Roxas—took the stage after an almost  hour's delay, and teased each other like good friends over debate get-ups, feeling the "call of nature," and wanting to sing karaoke instead.

Duterte proved himself the wittiest during these exchanges with his one-liners. Poe, who stood next to him, took the ribbing good naturedly. Roxas laughed and attempted to give as good as he got.

The candidates unselfconsciously acted as jesters during the lull at the 150-seater debate hall, greeting local candidates who were present in a seeming roll call.

Outfits, karaoke

At some point during the wait, Duterte turned to Poe, saying, "Grace, magkantahan na lang tayo."

The senator smiled and agreed, "Sige, duet."

The mayor then asked her what song they should sing, to which she suggested "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang" by OPM band Freestyle.

Roxas, meanwhile, brought up their debate outfits. The administration standard-bearer came in his party's signature yellow-and-black shirt.

"'Yung campaign outfit," he said, rubbing his left eye beneath his glasses. "Sinabihan kami 'yung rules mag-campaign outfit.

Poe—who came in a white dress—replied: "Bakit? Puti naman ito, ha?"

Then she gestured at Duterte, who paired his jeans with a barong tagalog. "Pero ito, hindi campaign outfit ni Mayor. For sure."

The mayor replied, "'Yung suot mo, pang-luto."

"Pang-luto? Ano 'yon?" she asked.

He dismissed it with a hand gesture. "'Wag na, hindi mo alam."

"Buti na lang hindi ko alam," she said amid the audience's laughter.

‘Bathroom break’

During the break, Duterte also disclosed that he was having some "stomach trouble," and wondered out loud—eliciting laughs from the audience—how he was going to get through the debate with a possible need to go to the comfort room.

Later on, Roxas asked the organizers, through a microphone, if he could go on a "bathroom break," then excused himself befor exiting the stage.

As he walked away, Duterte quipped, "Pangatlong ihi mo na 'yan, Mar!"

When the laughter died down, and a bit of conversation exchanged between the two remaining candidates, Poe then turned to the microphone and told the audience, "Why don't you just ask the questions, open forum style?"

She and Duterte then proceeded to acknowledge the officials in the audience.

Roxas came back carrying a chair for Poe, then went off again to get seats for Duterte and himself.

The mayor quipped, "Mag-surrender na ako sa'yo 'pag ganito. 'Wag mong sabihing isa para sa akin."

He then added: "You know, guys, this is how politics is being played all around in every place. Mas matindi 'yung sila Trump. Ganoon talaga ang pulitika... I've been in it for the longest time." — DVM, GMA News