Even with home advantage, Duterte 'nervous' about debate

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte on Sunday vowed to stand for residents of Mindanao in Sunday's presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro.

Duterte, the lone presidential contender from Mindanao and has the home advantage in the debate, admitted he is nervous as it is an important day for him as a Mindanawon and as someone from a rural area.

"A very important day for me and for all of us," he said. "I am a probinsyano, I will be representing Mindanao and the provinces."

"I am nervous because I know they are good," Duterte said.

Saying he only has a few hours of sleep, Duterte said he is looking forward to sharing the stage with the four other presidential candidates. Knowing his rivals came prepared, he said he will not let his hometown down.

Duterte refused to disclose how he prepared for the debate, saying he will stand for Filipinos.

"I will stand there in defense of the future of the Philippines and the Filipino people. I promise to stand for you. I will never let you down," Duterte said. “I am the Filipino people's last card," he added.

Duterte and the four other candidates, Vice President Jejomar "Jojo" Binay, Manuel "Mar" Roxas, Sens. Grace Poe,  and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago will face off in the first debate of the year initiated by the Commission on Elections.

Questions will focus on agriculture and food security, poverty, charter change and security.

This is the first government-hosted debate to be held outside Metro Manila. The five candidates will also have a debate on March 20 at the University of the Philippines campus in Cebu City for the Visayas leg, and on April 24 at the University of the Pangsinan for the Luzon leg.

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