KBP: Debate was Binay's idea

MANILA, Philippines — It was Vice President Jejomar Binay himself who proposed to the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) to organize a debate where he was supposed to address accusations against him.

Herman Basbaño, KBP president, said that Binay suggested to him last October 21 that the group should organize the event after he challenges Sen. Antonio Trillanes to face him.

"[Nangyari ito] noong MOA signing with Pag-IBIG Fund, bisita namin si bise presidente, noon nasabi... at first tahimik lang kami," Basbaño said in an interview with dzBB.

When Trillanes accepted the challenge, KBP's leadership started preparing the debate logistics and format.

"Medyo mahirap na tanggihan na," Basbaño said.

On Tuesday, Binay announced he is backing out of the scheduled debate with Trillanes as he does not want to have the greater advantage in the face off.

Basbaño said that as of press time, the KBP has not yet been informed by Binay's camp about the cancelation of the event, but stressed that the organization respects the vice president's decision.

READ: Trillanes on canceled debate: Binay not trustworthy

"Despite the effort [of the KBP], wala tayong magagawa ... Walang problema sa'min, we understand," he said.

KBP Chair Jun Nicdao, meanwhile, said in a separate interview that the group earlier set to meet with Binay's camp on Thursday to discuss details of the November 27 debate.

Nicdao said that in the meantime, organizers will continue preparing for the event until they are notified by Binay's camp to call it off.