UNA bets ready to debate with Team PNoy

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur, Philippines — Candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) are ready to engage in a debate with their Team PNoy counterparts only if their schedule permits them.

Vice President Jejomar Binay said while he does not see any problem with debates, the tight schedules of campaign sorties should be considered.

“I think it would be good to have a debate,” Binay said in a press conference here.

“The only problem is you have commitments that you need to honor. It would be bad if we commit to attend (a debate) and then fail to show up because of other engagements,” he added.

UNA senatorial bet Nancy Binay, who earlier declined a challenge by Team PNoy candidate Risa Hontiveros for a debate, said limited resources affect their schedule.

“We don’t have the same resources that they (Team PNoy) have. They can afford to go back and forth. We take commercial flights. We can only place on schedule the places with available flights,” the younger Binay said.

“We do not have helicopters or airplanes at our disposal,” she added.

UNA candidates were reacting to Team PNoy’s persistent challenge for a debate on issues that affect the country.

Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile also said the availability of candidates should be taken into account.

“If we can get everybody together at one point at one time it will be helpful. Unfortunately I think the members of the administration ticket have their own different sorties so it’s a question of getting everybody at the same place at the same time,” he said.

Enrile though cited the need for candidates to be ready to engage in discussions.

“I think at this point, if you are not prepared to state your position on every issue you have no business running,” he said.

Former senator Ernesto Maceda, however, said it may be too late to hold a debate given that they only have three weeks left to campaign.