BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA – Iloilo City’s Sen. Franklin Drilon has been challenged to a debate by ex-congressman Augusto “Boboy” Syjuco Jr. (2nd District, Iloilo).
This is the second time Syjuco issued the challenge.
“Let us together, you and I, bring the revered tradition of taking public issues to our people, in Plaza Miranda,” said Syjuco.
The debate, the former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) secretary general said, will focus on the Iloilo Convention Center and other projects of the senator alleged to be overpriced.
The Senate Big Man, on one hand, can consider any subject for debate, he also said.
Syjuco wanted Drilon to choose the date and time for their debate.
They will share the physical cost of the debate, according to him.
“Running away shows you to be guilty. Be a man. Clear your name and reputation,” said Syjuco.
Late last year, Syjuco also wanted to debate Drilon over the government’s Disbursement Acceleration Program.
Drilon, however, told Panay News, he will only face the defeated congressman if he becomes a senator.
“Let him run and win as a senator and I will debate with him in the Senate,” the Ilonggo legislator said.
He won’t debate with a “discredited” politician like Syjuco, said Drilon.
Syjuco should instead debate with the government prosecutors who are prosecuting him in the anti-graft court for overpricing of TESDA supplies, the Senate leader said.
“This is a criminal case where he can spend years and years of his life in prison so he better debate with the judges there and the prosecutors and not to a senator of the land,” said Drilon.
But Syjuco insisted he is qualified to debate Drilon because he “was the 28-year-old Vice President of the 1971 Constitutional Convention who created the Ombudsman, Sandiganbayan, Impeachment Proceedings and the whole Article about Accountability of Public Officers.”/PN
