Netizens took to social media to vent out their anger on the delay of the second presidential debate at the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu where four presidential candidates were expected to slug it out and air their sides on various issues.
The hashtags #PiliPinasDeLate and #PiliPinasDelayed were coined by netizens as the debate, which was supposed to start at 5 p.m., was delayed for more than an hour. It started at 6:31 p.m.
READ: Binay, Duterte, Poe, Roxas square off in delay-marred Cebu debate
Reports said that the delay ensued because of “miscommunication” between the camps of Vice President Jejomar Binay and the other presidential aspirants.
READ: Row over rules delays second presidential debate
Binay’s camp said that they asked TV5 news head Luchi Cruz-Valdes if the vice president can bring notes and that the latter has acceded. Minutes before the start of the debate, Roxas’ camp allegedly raised their objection on Binay bringing notes onstage.
Valdes has already apologized for the delay of the debate.
READ: 2nd presidential debate delayed; TV5 apologizes
“We take full responsibility. We would really like to deeply apologize to the candidates, to the teams of the candidate, to you, the live audience,” she said as she addressed the crowd inside the University of the Philippines Cebu’s Performing Arts Hall.
The second government-sanctioned debate is hosted by TV5 and Philippine Star. AJH/IDL
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