It will be a one on one debate between Leody de Guzman and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after four frontrunner Presidential candidates have backed-out from the SMNI sponsored Presidential debate.
Presidential aspirants Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Sen. Ping Lacson, Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice President Leni Robredo all decided to decline SMNI’s invitation to their Presidential debate slated on Tuesday, February 15 at the Ballroom of Okada Manila.
In his statement Pacquiao said he “cannot in his good conscience be part of any activity organized by a man wanted for detestable crimes and who unconsciously uses the name of the Lord in vain for religious scams”.
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) February 14, 2022
SMNI is owned by the Kingdom of Jesus founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy who’s currently wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for sex trafficking and bulk cash smuggling.
Aside from that, SMNI is also known for being Duterte governments disinformation machinery.
In a report by Rappler, SMNI is said to be legitimizing attacks and misinformation against government critics.
It’s main anchor Mike Abe is their main agent of disinformation with his commentaries geared at proliferating disinformation about an array of socio-political topics.
Meanwhile, aside from Pacquio, Vice President Leni Robredo also issued statement regarding non-including to the SMNI debates.
According to her spokesman Atty. Barry Gutierrez, the Vice President together with Sen. Kiko Pangilinan already have a “long-standing commitment to meet leaders and supporters in Panay Island” on that day.
ROBREDO WON'T ATTEND SMNI DEBATE
JUST IN: Vice President Leni Robredo will not attend the presidential debate of SMNI, according to Barry Gutierrez. pic.twitter.com/hoAxcdzaB0
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) February 14, 2022
Sen. Ping Lacson and Sen. Tito Sotto on their part also declined the invitation saying it’s non-sense attending the debate since the network’s owner Quiboloy has already openly endorsed Marcos Jr and Duterte-Carpio.
Senator Ping Lacson said that he and his running-mate Senator Tito Sotto will not be attending the SMNI debate to be held tomorrow, saying that Apollo Quiboloy—who owns the network—has already endorsed the tandem of Marcos-Duterte. pic.twitter.com/eUubLTZZWw
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) February 14, 2022
Mayor Isko Moreno through his campaign manager Lito Banayo also confirmed that they are not joining the SMNI debate citing their current campaign activities in Northern Samar.
The camp of presidential candidate Isko Moreno has confirmed that the Manila mayor will not attend the SMNI-hosted presidential debates on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/CU3QgId4SW
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) February 14, 2022
Netizens reactions
Meanwhile, several netizens expressed excited with Ka Leody’s one on one with Marcos Jr.
Ash Presto in a tweet said Marcos Jr looked like he was played because although he’ll be in his comfort zone, he didn’t expect that he’ll be facing one on one Ka Leody who’s the most anti-marcos platform.
“Looking like BBM got played in this SMNI debate. Taking his opponents’ attendance for granted, he thought he would be safe in the homecourt of one of his staunchest allies. Now he’ll face off with the candidate with the most anti-elite, anti-dynasty platform. Excited to see it!”
https://twitter.com/sosyolohija/status/1493139839470153733
Tonyo Cruz meanwhile sarcastically congratulated Marcos Jr for uniting his opponents Pacquaio, Lacson, Moreno and Robredo in declining the debate.
“Congrats, BBM. You united the presidential candidates against a plunderer and a sex trafficker. Thank you, VP Leni, Sen. Pacquiao, Mayor Isko, and Sen. Lacson.”
Congrats, BBM.
You united the presidential candidates against a plunderer and a sex trafficker.
Thank you, VP Leni, Sen. Pacquiao, Mayor Isko, and Sen. Lacson.
— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) February 14, 2022
Social media personality Renz Saavedra also shared excitement over De Guzman and Marcos Jr’s one on one tagging it as “Ka Leody vs Ka Watan”
“Kabog yung pa-debate ni Quiboloy, Ka Leody vs Ka Watan, charot HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA”
https://twitter.com/SirRenzSaavedra/status/1493157459829002240
@AtlABSCBN on the other hand dubbed is as “Mangagawa vs walang nagawa”.
Manggagawa vs walang nagawa https://t.co/2MQX3qy4Al
— AltABSCBN (@AltABSCBN) February 14, 2022
Journalist Dax Lucas meanwhile said it was a bad move for Marcos Jr, who’s known for his strategy of less talk less mistake knowing Ka Leody will be all out in attacking him during the debate.
Bad move for BBM to attend this under his current strategy. Ka Leody has nothing to lose and will be on all-out attack mode. https://t.co/k8eG79cRDQ
— Dax (@daxlucas) February 14, 2022
@MalacananEvents in their tweet teased Marcos Jr that he’s now have a new challenger in Ka Leody.
here comes the new challenger pic.twitter.com/nLjjyFiqKU
— Malacañang Events and Catering Services (@MalacananEvents) February 14, 2022
