Pres. Duterte is being lambasted on social media after he backs out in a debate with retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio, Friday, May 7.

The challenger, Duterte, opted out of the argument and instead made his Presidential Spokesman, Harry Roque be his substitute.

“Ang sabi ni Presidente, tinatalaga niya po ang inyong abang lingkod na makipag-debate kay retired justice Antonio Carpio, at tinanggap ko naman po ang pagtatalaga ni Presidente,” said Roque during a televised public address.

“Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, it would be a pleasure to debate against you. I’ll see you at the designated time and place,” he added.

But with the Secretary representing Duterte in the battle with the magistrate, the hashtag #DuterteDuwag trended as celebrities, personalities, and Netizens mocked him for being a “coward”.

Actor Steven Silva discreetly called the president an “idiot sandwich”, a reference to Gordon Ramsay’s parody of “Hell Kitchen” called “Hell’s Cafeteria”. This followed after Duterte, the challenger, backed out of the debate with Carpio.

https://twitter.com/iamstevensilva/status/1390568331397066752

A comic artist created a strip summarizing the supposed debate of Duterte and Carpio.

Celebrities such as Justin Dizon, Agot Isidro, and musician Jim Paredes laughed at Duterte for his no-show in what was supposed to be a “debate of the year”.

https://twitter.com/Jimparedes/status/1390573694825627651

Singer Bituin Escalante stressed that Duterte is a “coward” due to his withdrawal from the debate against Carpio.

https://twitter.com/gobituin/status/1390554024580050945

Kapuso journalist Atom Araullo threw some shade (at Duterte) for making a challenge that he cannot fulfill.

Former Bayan Muna Congressman Teddy Casiño referenced Duterte’s words as he is now currently being cooked in his own oil.

TV personality Kiko Rustia shared a meme of Duterte being called a “coward” stressing that it was “accurate”.

A Twitter personality highlighted that the president is a “coward and a traitor”. With Duterte’s statements contradicting himself, it only proves that his critics were right about him.

Pia Magalona urged Carpio to take down the Duterte Administration after the magistrate responded that he is willing to take on anybody after the president backed out from the challenge.

Meanwhile, a Twitter personality suggested that the Davaoeños and Minanaoans should be proud of Carpio rather than the “lame duck traitor” Duterte.

Singer Leah Navarro stressed that Roque and Duterte are no match for Carpio. According to Navarro, even if Duterte is the president, he has “done nothing to honor his presidency”. On the other hand, Roque is an “ambulance lawyer”.

Duterte earlier on Wednesday challenged Carpio in a debate regarding the issue of the West Philippine Sea (WPS). But the Philippine President is also fond of challenging public figures who criticize him in a debate that never pushed through.

For instance, in 2016, Duterte challenged UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard to a “public debate” after his controversial anti-drugs campaign was being scrutinized.