(UPDATE) Former Sen. Bongbong Marcos will skip the presidential debate organized by CNN Philippines on Feb. 27 due to a conflict in schedule, the television network said Monday.
Marcos is the only presidential candidate who will not attend the debate.
"Due to the schedules we have already confirmed for the UniTeam’s campaign commitments, we are unable to accept this additional engagement at this time," Marcos' camp said as quoted by CNN Philippines.
All other nine presidential candidates confirmed their attendance according to CNN Philippines, namely Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Ping Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, labor leader Leody de Guzman, former presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, Jose Montemayor Jr., former defense chief Norberto Gonzales, and Faisal Mangondato.
In a separate message to reporters, Vic Rodriguez, spokesperson for Marcos, said the son of the late dictator would attend the presidential debate organized by SMNI on Tuesday.
Controversial religious leader Apollo Quiboloy, who previously endorsed Marcos for president, is the founder of SMNI.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Marcos' vice presidential running mate, will also not attend the network's vice presidential debate, slated for Feb. 26, according to CNN Philippines. Her camp didn't provide a reason, the network said.
Rodriguez earlier said Marcos will not attend any debate or forum if it's only meant to pit candidates against each other.
"Kung ang direksyon lamang ay pag-away-awayin ang kandidato, I tell you now, hindi kami sasali dahil nirerespeto namin ang sentimiyento ng sambayanang Pilipino," Rodriguez told ANC in an interview.
"Pagod na ang tao, ang daming walang trabaho, ang daming underemployed. Ayaw na ng Pilipino ng awayan. Ang kailangan nilang marinig, bakit kita iboboto, ano ang solusyon mo sa problemang kinahaharap ng ating bansa?" he added.
Marcos earlier declined to attend the presidential interviews hosted by GMA News' Jessica Soho as he claimed that the veteran journalist was "biased" against his family.
He also skipped the KBP forum on Feb. 4 citing conflict of schedule. That same morning, he posted on Instagram which was later revealed to be another sit-down interview with broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez-Roxas.
ALSO READ:
Are Journalists Biased for Asking Candidates Hard Questions?
GMA Rejects Marcos' Bias Claim, Says Tough Questions Must be Asked
Bongbong Says 'Biased' Means 'Anti-Marcos'
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