SENATOR Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday urged the Commission on Elections and the National Movement for Free Elections to hold debates to allow presidential aspirants to explain their platform of government.

The senator said that although he is happy to share his visions and aspirations for the country in various media fora, talk shows, and interviews, these are not enough to give the electorate a full and unadulterated preview of the true character and the qualities of the presidential aspirants.

“I’m challenging my fellow presidential candidates: let us have a face-to-face debate. Mas mabuti para sa bayan na tayo ay magharap-harap upang ibahagi ang ating mga posisyon tungkol sa mga pangunahing isyung pambayan. Iba pa rin po kapag face-to-face ang debate dahil dito natin malalaman kung sino ang tunay na tapat at sino ang nagpapanggap,” Pacquiao said.

“Mas maganda ‘yung aktwal at harap-harapan ang discussion namin dahil dito natin makikita kung sino sa aming mga naghahangad na maging lider ng bansa ang tapat at may kakayahan na magbigay ng tunay na pagbabago sa bansa at maiangat ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.

Pacquiao said the electorate should be wary of candidates who refuse to face their rivals and avoid public scrutiny because these could be signs that they are either incompetent or have too many skeletons in the closet.

Pacquiao said that while it is not required by law, attending face-to-face debates is a very important responsibility for anyone seeking the highest position in the country.

“Kapag ganyan na umiiwas sa mga face-to-face debate, dapat alam na ng taumbayan na hindi sila dapat pagkatiwalaan. Walang pinagkaiba iyan sa mga magnanakaw na ayaw magpa-polygraph test pero todo tanggi sa kanilang ginawang krimen. We’ve long been divided because of the traditional political factions like the loyalists and dilawans who are constantly at odds since the EDSA revolution. You cannot promise to unite the nation if you cannot even have the guts to face your foes like a man,” he said.