De Guzman, Espiritu challenge admin, pro-Duterte bets to attend debates

Senatorial bets Leody De Guzman and Luke Espiritu on Wednesday challenged the candidates under the administration’s ticket as well as allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte to attend the debates and share their platforms.

“Hindi naman dahil sa parang kami ay matalino o magaling, o alam namin ang lahat, hindi naman sa ganoon. Ang purpose namin magkaroon talaga ng diskusyon, hindi pwedeng sayaw-sayaw lang, hindi pwedeng budots lang, artista, tarpaulin,” De Guzman said. 

(It’s not that we are acting smart or know-it-all. What we want is to have a discussion. Dancing and relying on artists and tarpaulins are not enough.) 

“Ilabas naman ang analysis nila sa problema ng bansa, ilabas naman kung ano ang kanilang solusyon. Ayun ang gusto namin mangyari para magkaroon ng objective na pagpapasya ang mga mamamayan,” he added. 

(They should share their analysis on the problems of the country and their planned solutions. What we want is the public to have an objective decision come the election.)

For his part, fellow labor leader Luke Espiritu said that joining debates provides an avenue for candidates to share their stand on various matters. 

“Sanay na sila hindi dini-discuss, sanay na silang wala talaga silang bibitbiting plataporma, solusyon sa kahirapan, wala silang sasagutin... Ito sana ang chance nila na harapan naman in a fair environment. Ang reason lang nila kung bakit wala ay ayaw nila ma-expose,” said Espiritu.

(They are used to bringing up their platforms and solutions to poverty. This could be their chance to discuss things face-to-face in a fair environment. The reason why they don’t want to join the debate is because they could be exposed.) 

“Parati kaming naghahamon. In fact, wala nga kaming inuurangan na mga debate. Each and every debate ay nandiyan kami. Magpakita sila. Hindi lang naman yan sa slate ni Duterte, pati sa slate ni Marcos, mag-debate tayo, araw-araw kung gusto niyo,” Espiritu added. 

(We always challenge them. In fact, we always attend each and every debate. They should show up. We are not just referring to the Duterte slate but also to the Marcos slate. Let’s debate every day if you want.) 

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.

Both De Guzman and Espiritu are running under the banner of Partido Lakas ng Masa. —VAL, GMA Integrated News