Mark the date: Binay-Trillanes debate set on Nov 27

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - The much-awaited debate between Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV will take place on November 27, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) said on Wednesday.

In a phone-patch interview on ANC, KBP president Herman Basbaño said representatives of both camps met earlier today and agreed on the date.

Basbaño said there were about three negotiations between the KBP and the two camps.

The debate would be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon with the KBP serving as the moderator. Basbaño won't yet disclose the event venue.

"One is a hotel and the other one is a place where an event of this magnitude has been conducted before," Basbaño said of the venues the KBP is looking into.

Asked about the debate topics, Basbaño said there will be four propositions.

Basbaño said the topics will be mutually agreed upon by both sides, which will be signing next week an agreement and the debate rules and regulations.

The participating media agencies could conduct public polls to determine the debate winner, Basbaño said.

Speaking to ANC, Trillanes said he is happy that Binay's men honored their word.

Trillanes has accused Binay of pocketing kickbacks from various projects in Makati City and using dummies to conceal his alleged ill-gotten wealth, such as the 350-hectare estate in Rosario town, Batangas.

It was Binay who challenged Trillanes to a debate, but the senator believes that the Vice President will back out despite his perceived advantage.

In a post on Binay's social media accounts, his media affairs head said a debate is a "forum to inform, not to harass or intimidate."

"It is a forum for a sober presentation of arguments, not a bully pulpit. It is not a one-sided political circus like the on-going Senate witch hunt being conducted by Senator Trillanes," Joey Salgado said.

Binay has criticized Trillanes, Sen. Alan Cayetano and the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee inquiry for being politically motivated.