Koko on Otso Diretso debate challenge: 'Aren't they busy?'

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Former Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Sunday asked why the opposition slate is insisting on holding a debate with administration candidates.

"Are they not busy with their own rally?" Pimentel told media when asked about the Liberal Party-led "Otso Diretso" opposition slate's continued challenge to debate on election issues.

Pimentel said that the admnistration PDP-Laban party and its guest candidates are open to debates but that campaign sorties across the country present scheduling problems. 

 Pimentel said administration bets have not been remiss in attending televised debates as well as those on radio talk shows.

"I really don't know why they feel there is still a lack of debate," Pimentel said of the opposition's call to hold a public debate. 

The Otso Diretso held a public event at Plaza Miranda in Manila on February 25, but candidates from the PDP-Laban and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio-led Hugpong ng Pagbabago did not attend. 

The Palace has dismissed the call for debate as an attempt by the opposition slate to gain publicity.

RELATED: Palace says Otso Diretso challenging Hugpong bets to debate to gain publicity

Pimentel was in Zamboanga City with Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu (Maguindanao), former Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, former presidential aide Christopher Go, former presidential adviser Francis Tolentino, Sens. Cynthia Villar, Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, and Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, Rep. Pia Cayetano (Taguig), Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Freddie Aguilar, and former Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan.