MANILA, Philippines – Action star-turned politician Lito Lapid said he is not keen on debating on key national issues with senatorial race rivals after opposition senatorial candidates under the Otso Diretso banner earlier challenged fellow candidates to a debate.

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READ: Otso Diretso bets want debate with opponents on key issues

“Hindi, hindi naman ako nakikipag-contest sa pagalingan eh. Eh sila naman may galing. ‘Yung galing nila siguro’t alam nila hindi ko alam. Pero may alam din naman akong di nila alam,” Lapid told reporters before the start of his press conference on Wednesday.

(I am not competing with their know-how and expertise. They may know things that I don’t, but I also know things that they have no knowledge of.)

“Nagdidirek naman ako sa pelikula, eh siguro pagdirekin mo sa pelikula ‘yun di nila alam. Oh di ba? Kanya-kanya lang pinag-aralan ‘yan,” he explained.

(I direct movies, if you ask them to do the same, I don’t think they can, right? We have different sets of knowledge and skills.)

The former Pampanga governor also argued that debates are not the only barometer for one’s ability to serve.

“Hindi naman siguro mapapakita sa debates ‘yung kagalingan ng isang taong gustong tumulong para sa ating mamamayan,” he said.

(Debates alone cannot prove a candidate’s ability and willingness to serve.)

Martial law

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Pressed for comment on the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the third extension of martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31, 2019, the former legislator answered: “Depende siguro.”

(It depends.)

“Siguro wala naman hinahangad ‘yung ating mahal na pangulo kundi katahimikan din,” he added.

(The President only wishes to have peace and quiet.)

Lapid also vowed to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s legislative agenda when elected to the Senate.

Lapid, meanwhile, attributed his good performance in recent pre-election surveys to his role in ABS-CBN’s “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.”

He also said he is not eyeing the presidency.

“Kaya hindi ako pinag-iinitan dahil ‘di ako sagabal sa kanila,” he quipped.

(That is why they are not picking on me, I am not a threat.)

Lapid, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), also vowed to pursue education and pro-poor bills if reelected to the Senate. / gsg

READ: Lito Lapid to champion education, pro-poor bills in Senate comeback

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