DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte called the presidential debates during the last presidential campaign as “ridiculous,” “vicious,” “stupid” and a futile exercise that failed to connect to people.

“A minute and a half can’t give you anything,” Duterte recalled the brief span of time given to candidates during the debates as he inaugurated a wellness facility in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

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“Sponsoring presidential debates is ridiculous. You line these (candidates) onstage, give them two minutes (to introduce their platforms) and one minute and a half (minute) for interpellation, that’s a crazy exercise,” Duterte said.

“Nagmadali ang tao, wala silang masabi (People are in a hurry, they can’t finish saying anything); even to lay the predicate, the foundation of their statement. Kaya itong sa sunod na (So, in the coming elections, I’ll just tell them, that’s vicious. Kasali na niyan pangloloko sa tao, (That’s part of fooling the people), you’ll get nothing except that you’ll be seen on TV, pa-Inglis-Inglis (speaking English), trying to be an orator but you don’t have the time, and people cannot connect with you, it’s a useless exercise,” the President added.

“In fact, it’s a stupid idea but since you’re a candidate, you oblige.”

Duterte could not help recalling the last campaign period that brought him to the presidency as he thanked Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Rubin Zubiri for the latter’s all out support for him in the last elections.

Duterte, however, said he was not campaigning for anyone anymore as the next year’s midterm elections loom, and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte was among those being floated as candidates for senator.

The president said he was not campaigning for anyone nor for himself because he could no longer run for office, not even as a barangay kagawad, when his term ends in 2022. /jpv

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