Sara Duterte attends campaign rally, skips Comelec debate

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Sunday skipped the vice presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections, choosing instead to campaign with allies and supporters in Malabon City.

In her speech, Duterte said she would leave Davao City debt-free, as the fourth most competitive city in the Philippines and the eighth richest city in the country.

“Ibig po sabihin napapangalagaan namin ang mga negosyante at hanapbuhay sa siyudad namin at naibibigay ng aming gobyerno ang mga pangangailangan ng mga komunidad,” she said.

(This means we looked after the city's entrepreneurs and livelihoods and the city government was able to provide for the needs of the communities.)

Duterte's absence from the debate was criticized by some of her rivals, including Senator Francis Pangilinan, former party-list lawmaker Walden Bello, and Rizalito David.

Pangilinan compared Duterte's absence to that of suitors who fail to appear in front of the woman's parents.

On March 12, Duterte stood firm on her decision to go on with her campaign without attending any debates.

The second vice presidential debate is scheduled for April 23. It will have a town hall format.

The Comelec said candidates who would snub its debates would be disallowed from using their e-rally platform.

Duterte's running mate, former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., also did not attend the Comelec presidential debate on Saturday. On Sunday, he joined Duterte on the campaign trail. — VBL, GMA News