Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines鈥擵ice President Jejomar Binay has backed out from his scheduled public debate with Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, saying he does not want to appear 鈥渙ppressive and opportunistic.鈥�
Binay made the announcement during his 72nd birthday celebration at the Philippine Marines headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.
鈥淚t鈥檚 final, it鈥檚 final. My decision won鈥檛 change,鈥� Binay said in Filipino during an interview aired on radio.
Binay explained that he doesn鈥檛 want to look like he is taking advantage of Trillanes, who is not a lawyer unlike him.
鈥淎ng dahilan ko mga kababayan e dahil sa marami na akong naririnig na ako ay ganito鈥ko ay mahusay, ako ay naging debater, ako ay abogado, e sobra na 鈥榯ong mga sinabi niyang ganyan na kumpirmadong sinabi niya, e ayaw ko naman hong maging..ang pagkakalilala niyo sa aking mga kababayan ay mapang-api, mapagsamantala鈥o tama na po 鈥榶un,鈥� he said.
(The reason why I am withdrawing is I have heard comments that I am already a good and experienced debater that comes with my being a lawyer. He has also been saying things as if they were already confirmed. I don鈥檛 want to appear oppressive and opportunistic, so I am backing out.)
Binay has repeatedly declined the Senate invitation to appear before the Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing corruption allegations against him.
The vice president, however, challenged Trillanes to a public debate so he could air his side.
The public debate between the two officials was scheduled by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) for November 27.
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