President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday explained why he backed out of the challenge he posed to former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio that they debate on issues concerning the West Philippine Sea.
“Ang problema rito nakalimutan ko ako ang Presidente, si Carpio hindi,” Duterte said in his weekly talk to the people .
Duterte made the remark days after presidential spokesman Secretary Harry Roque Jr. said that the Chief Executive listened to Cabinet secretaries’ advice that he should not engage Carpio in a debate.
He said his statements in the debate could be construed as “policy.”
“I might bind future actions of government pagdating dito sa West Philippine Sea, pero du’n ako sa kahon,” Duterte said.
“It’s not because I’m afraid of debates,” he added.