4 PRESIDENTIABLES ATRAS SA SMNI DEBATE

TUMANGGI ang apat na presidential candidates na humarap sa presidential debate na pangungunahan ng Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) na pagmamay-ari ng kontrobersiyal ng kontrobersiyal na pastor na si Apollo Quiboloy.

Ayon kay presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao na hindi kakayanin ng kanyang konsensya na pumunta sa debate na pamumunuan ni Quiboloy na nahaharap sa patong-patong na kaso sa Estados Unidos.

“As much as I would like to participate in every debate and public forum related to my bid for the presidency, I am compelled to decline the invitation of SMNI, which is owned by Apollo Quiboloy, who, according to the US government, has molested and abused children,” saad ni Pacquiao sa isang pahayag.

“I cannot, in good conscience, be part of any activity organized by a man wanted for detestable crimes and who unconscionably used the name of the Lord in vain for religious scams,” dagdag niya.

Bukod sa mga kasong sex trafficking, binanggit din ni Pacquiao na mayroon pa siyang nakabinbing cyberlibel case laban kay Quiboloy.

“Kaya mas mabuting tanggihan ang imbitasyon ng SMNI para hindi mabigyan ito ng kahit anumang kahulugan na maaaring makaapekto sa aming kaso,” ani ng boxer-turned-politician.

Ayon naman sa kampo ni presidential candidate Sen. Ping Lacson ay hindi sila pupunta sa SMNI presidential debate ng kanyang ka-tandem na si Senate President Tito Sotto dahil sa malinaw naman na kung sino ang susuportahan ni Quiboloy.

“With all due respect and giving regard to common sense, SP TIto Sotto and I are skipping the SMNI debates. The network’s chairman, Pastor Quiboloy has already openly endorsed his preferred presidential and vice-presidential candidates,” pahayag ni Lacson.

Sinabi naman ng kampo ni presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo na hindi sila pupunta sa SMNI debate dahil sa may gagawin ang VP sa araw na ‘yon.

“She will be unable to attend this privately sponsored event, but will definitely be present for all the upcoming COMELEC sponsored and accredited debates,” saad ng kampo ni Robredo.

Hindi rin dadalo si presidential candidate Manila Mayor Isko dahil puno na ang schedule nito. “Negative. He will be in Samar provinces today & tomorrow and has a full schedule ahead,” ayon kay Aksyon Demokratiko, Moreno’s party, chairman Ernest Ramel sa isang text message sa  INQUIRER.net.

Nakatakda ang SMNI debate bukas.

Tutuloy naman bukas sina presidential candidates Bongbong Marcos Jr. at Ka Leody de Guzman.