Among the presidential bets who are not attending the debate sponsored by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, it’s only Sen. Manny Pacquiao who cited the cases that the spiritual is facing in the United States as part of his reasons for declining the invitation.
Four presidential candidates have said no to a debate sponsored by pastor Apollo Quiboloy scheduled for broadcast today, Feb. 15.
Sen. Manny Pacquiao said on Monday, Feb. 14, he would not join the debate owing to charges of child abuse that the pastor is facing in the United States.
Pacquiao said he “cannot, in good conscience, be part of any activity organized by a man wanted for detestable crimes and who unconscionably used the name of the Lord in vain for religious scams.”
The standard-bearer of the PROMDI political party was referring to Quiboloy, who heads the religious sect Kingdom of Jesus Christ and who owns the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) that invited other presidential contenders in relation to the May 9 elections.
Vice President Robredo also will not attend the SMNI-organized debate due to a “long-standing commitment” to meet with leaders and supporters in Panay Island, her spokesman Barry Gutierrez said on Monday.
Gutierrez, however, said Robredo would definitely be present in all upcoming Commission on Elections (Comelec)-sponsored and other “accredited” debates.
“Leni Robredo has a proven track record of attending debates and interviews regardless of the personal histories or affiliations of its sponsors. Unfortunately, the VP already has a long-standing commitment to meet with leaders and supporters in Panay Island on the date this event was scheduled,” Gutierrez said in a statement.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III also will not attend the SMNI debate.
“With all due respect and giving regard to common sense, SP Tito Sotto and I are skipping the SMNI debates. The network’s chairman Pastor Quiboloy has already openly endorsed his preferred presidential and vice presidential candidates,” Lacson said on Twitter.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno likewise will not attend today’s presidential debate hosted by SMNI.
Aksyon Demokratiko party chairperson Ernest Ramel said Moreno would be busy touring Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar, starting Monday until today.
“The schedule is too full for him,” Ramel said. “The tour has long been planned already.”
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