A lawyers’ group offered to host a debate between President Rodrigo Duterte and retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on the West Philippine Sea issue.
In a statement on Thursday, Rico Domingo, president of the Philippine Bar Association, said they are ready to host the debate on such date and time as the President and Justice Carpio may agree.
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“As the oldest voluntary private organization of lawyers in the country, the PBA will provide a balanced arena fit for two lawyers of eminent stature and experience to dispassionately discuss the core issues relating to the dispute on the West Philippine Sea,” the statement read.
The news came following Carpio’s announcement that he accepts Duterte’s challenge for a debate on issues on the West Philippine Sea.
“I gladly accept the challenge anytime at the President’s convenience,” Carpio said adding that Duterte must resign immediately to keep his word of honour.
READ ON: Duterte dares Carpio for debate on West Philippine Sea issue
Carpio also accepted the offer of PBA to moderate the event.
In his pre-recorded speech, Duterte challenged the former magistrate for a debate saying he would only ask three questions: “Who ordered the retreat; what did you do after the retreat; we filed a case and won, can we enforce it?”
Duterte slammed Carpio and former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario over their criticism that he is not “asserting enough” in China incursions over Philippine waters. (RA)
