The standard-bearer of the Liberal Party, Mar Roxas laughed off the rumors and claimed spreading online that the country’s most popular and influential TV station, ABS-CBN, which co-hosted the last presidential debate, favored him by leaking the questions to him before the debate.
According to some netizens the former DILG Secretary was very different in the last presidential debate hosted by ABS-CBN as he “looked too prepared” and his answers were “perfect.” Instead of reacting to the rumors and allegations against him, Mar Roxas just stated that he would take these rumors as a compliment.
Mar Roxas also explained during a media briefing at Fontana Convention Center in Angeles, Pampanga on Monday that he is also unconvinced that ABS-CBN, would give him a special treatment. He was quoted as saying “Paano ako papaboran ng ABS-CBN? Halos araw araw binabakbakan ako ng mga komentarista nila. Diba? Kung papaburan nila ako eh di mas madali ‘yung pupurihin ako araw araw ng mga komentarista nila.”
The Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas also told reporters that even the media could tell whether he was giving a prepared statement or not, given that he had been in the political limelight for almost 20 years.
“Kayo you all come from major news organizations. You know every utterance I’ve had over the last 20 years. Hindi ba consistent? Hindi ba parehas ang aking mga posisyon? Hindi naman nagbabago ah (Isn’t it consistent? Are my positions different? It has not changed),” said Roxas.
During the last presidential debate, all the five candidates for the highest position in the country attended the Comelec-sanctioned gathering. They were allasked about some of the country’s major topics such as public transport, job security, health, foreign policy, basic public education, overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW) concerns and peace in conflict areas.