Naging sentro ng kontrobersiya ang mahigit isang oras na pagkaantala ng Pilipinas Debates 2016 na hinost ng TV5 at The Philippine Star sa University of The Philippines-Cebu noong Linggo, March 20.
Ito ay sa kadahilanang nagkaroon ng matinding diskusyon kung maaaring magdala ng mga dokumento si Vice President Jejomar Binay habang isinasagawa ang ikalawang presidential debate.
Lumitaw na nagkaroon ng “serious miscommunication” sa pagitan ni VP Binay at News5 head Luchi Cruz-Valdes na siyang nagbigay ng go-signal sa kampo ng bise presidente, na puwedeng magdala ng notes o magprisinta ng mga dokumento sa mismong debate.
READ: Jejomar Binay, Mar Roxas quarrel over 'no notes' debate rule
Ito ay sa kagustuhan umano ni Luchi na dumalo ang lahat ng presidential candidates, lalo pa’t inaasahang magiging mas komprehensibo ang format ng debateng hinost ng Kapatid network.
Narito ang kabuuan ng public apology ni Luchi, base sa umereng behind-the-scenes footage ng TV5:
Luchi Cruz-Valdes: “I would like to issue a clarification and I would like to issue an apology on behalf of TV5.
“There has been serious miscommunication.
“The miscommunication being that the Comelec [Commission on Election] rules has initially stated at the outset that there should be no notes or documents to be brought by the candidates during the debate.
“And so, this was a standing rule that was not communicated to me.
“And about four or five days before this debate today, Cong. Toby Tiangco [interim president of United Nationalist Alliance and spokesman of VP Binay] called me up to ask whether the vice president could bring notes.
“And in my earnest desire to make sure that all the candidates would be present, and not thinking that there was such a rule, I did say, ‘I think so, of course.’
“After which, I had asked if there was any rule on that and I wasn’t told that there was a rule.
“But now, Chairman Andy (Andres) Bautista has said that this was a rule from the get go.
“Because of this, all the other candidates, particularly Secretary Mar, has expressed his very strong protest against the violation of this rule.
“The vice president, of course, has said he has also prepared based on my statement that it would be allowed.
“That was the reason for the impasse.
“Now, the vice president has stepped forward with his notes.
“And I’m just gonna turn over the mic to Governor Jonvic Remulla, he will be the one to explain the VP’s side.”
Cavite Gov. Remulla (spokesman of VP Binay): “Just to clarify things, we have in the last two weeks asked permission and clarify the matter with Ms. Luchi if notes were allowed.
“And she did confirm that notes were allowed.
“So, the vice president had practiced in the last two weeks under the assumption, under the diligence of the team to clarify with her, and she did say it was allowed.
“And 15 minutes before the start of the debate, we have been informed that it is not allowed.
“So, that leaves us in a pickle here what to do.
“As much as everybody wants a debate to pursue, we feel that it is prejudicial against the vice president for having been informed of what he can do and at the last minute said that he cannot do the same.
“So, I hope you understand it’s not meant against anyone in particular but it is only meant for the interest of fairness that they accept that. Thank you.”
Luchi: “With all humility and with all due respect.
“I will now have to ask for an apology from all of the candidates.
“But at this point, we’re just gonna have to move on with the debates.
“But I will have to ask for the permission of the three other candidates if they will allow the vice president to carry his notes through the debate.”
Pagkatapos humingi ng dispensa ni Luchi sa harap ng limang daang kataong nasa bulwagan ng UP-Cebu, hayagang sinabi ni former DILG secretary Roxas ang kanyang posisyon na hindi maaaring baliin ang Comelec debate rule na bawal ang magdala ng notes.
Naging mainit ang palitan ng salita sa pagitan nina Roxas at VP Binay, ngunit sa huli ay napilitan ang bise president na sundin ang alituntunin ng pamunuan ng Comelec, na siyang namamahala ng Pilipinas Debates 2016.