No way.
Malacañang has turned down the challenge of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile to debate President Aquino about the bungled Mamasapano operation, saying all questions raised by senators have been addressed in past hearings.
Instead, the Palace has preferred the public to move on and focus on efforts to continue the country’s resurgence.
“All that were needed to be asked by the senators have been asked. All that were needed to be answered by the resource persons have been responded to,” presidential spokesman Edwin F. Lacierda said.
“Perhaps, the results of the Senate reopening of the Mamasapano should speak for itself,” he added.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. also believes there was no need for a public debate between Aquino and Enrile over the Mamasapano incident, insisting that the senator had his chance to present his arguments at the reopening of the Senate probe last week.
“Sen. Enrile has had the opportunity to present his case,” Coloma said.
“It is best that our people focus their energies instead on how to sustain the momentum of our reform and transformation efforts that have gained the respect and admiration of the global community,” Coloma added.
Last weekend, Enrile challenged the President to a public debate on the Mamasapano operation that left 44 Philippine National Police Special Action Force troopers dead. The senator said he intends to bring the Mamasapano issue to the people and make Aquino accountable for the tragedy.
