Trillanes ready for debate vs. VP Binay

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is not backing down from his decision to debate with Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Ready for verbal battle

“Sa kanyang paniniwala ay lalampasuhin niya ako dito. Pero tayo naman ay sundalo lamang at hindi naman tayo aatras sa ganyang laban,” Trillanes told radio DZMM on Saturday.

Trillanes assured that he will not be the reason in case the debate does not push through.

Asked what he thinks about Binay not challenging another political foe, lawyer Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, to a debate, Trillanes replied, “Hindi ako ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ito matutuloy. Siguro ang palagay niya ay mahina ako sa debate. Totoo naman na hindi tayo magaling magsalita, hindi naman tayo debater, hindi tayo abogado.”

Importance of Senate hearings

Trillanes said he still wants Binay to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee whether the debate pushes through or not.

“Whether matuloy itong debate o hindi, tuloy pa rin ‘yung imbestigasyon. Kailangan talaga doon dahil under oath. ‘Yung ibang senador, meron silang ibang katanungan na hindi ko naman maitatanong,” he said.

Trillanes also assured the vice-president that he will not be disrespected in the Senate probe.

“Kapag binastos ho namin si vice-president, makikita iyun ng tao, babalik sa amin,” he said.

KBP prepares for Binay-Trillanes smackdown

The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) earlier said it has started its preparations for the one-on-one debate.

KBP Chairman Jun Nicdao said he is coordinating with both the Trillanes and Binay camps on the format and venue for the debate.

He said the KBP will schedule the event within the next two weeks as earlier suggested by Binay.

Binay was the first to challenge Trillanes to a one-on-one debate amid the senator’s continued attacks against him.

Trillanes then accepted the challenge and said he is even willing to hold the debate at a large piece of property in Rosario, Batangas allegedly owned by Binay.