Duterte to other bets: Be ready to debate with me

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has a message for critics who are saying that he brought presidential campaigns to new lows when he challenged admininstration bet Manuel Roxas II to a slapping match, then to a gun duel. 

He is ready to debate issues, he said on Wednesday, December 16. In fact, he wants other presidential aspirants to be prepared when he starts talking issues.

Besides, he said, it’s not even the official campaign period yet, and potential candidates should be courting voters.

“Wala pa gani nagsugod ang… (It has not started yet). You are not supposed to campaign, ‘You vote for me,'” he said. 

“Pag-abot, pag-abot sa campaign, I will debate with them on any matter under the sun. Kasi alam ko hindi nila ako ma…baka akalain lang nila ako pabugoy-bugoy ako, bantay ka sa akin.”

(When campaign time comes, I will debate with them on any matter under the sun. Because they don’t know, they thought I’m not serious. Watch me!)

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Duterte threatened to slap Roxas after they engaged in a word war over claims about credentials and achievements – with Roxas citing data from the Philippine National Police to show that Davao’s famed peace and order situation is a myth, and Duterte saying that Roxas lied about having a degree from Wharton.

When Roxas said he’d slap Duterte instead if he’s able to prove having actually graduated from the said economics school at the University of Pennsylvania, the Davao City mayor said he would go to Roxas’ home in Cubao himself.

Roxas countered on Tuesday by giving his complete home address in an interview with media and challenging Duterte to a fist fight instead. By Tuesday night, Duterte challenged Roxas to a gun duel. 

This prompted the camps of two other presidential aspirants, as well as a former president, to call on the two men to elevate the level of campaigns.

Roxas on Wednesday called on the Davao mayor to end the word war and instead focus on “issues.” Asked if he would be willing to engage Duterte in a debate, Roxas reiterated that he would not back down from his friend-turned-political-foe. – Rappler.com