In a surprise move, President Rodrigo Duterte has backed out of his scheduled debate with retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on the contentious West Philippine Sea issue. Instead of facing off against Carpio, a respected authority on international law and maritime disputes, Duterte has designated his spokesperson Harry Roque to represent him in the debate.
Carpio, known for his meticulous research and unflappable demeanor, was set to engage Duterte in a discussion on the country’s claims in the South China Sea. The debate promised to be a clash of wits between two strong personalities with differing views on the matter.
However, it remains to be seen whether Roque will be able to hold his own against Carpio, who has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the complex legal issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea. As the debate inches closer, one can’t help but wonder if Duterte’s decision to back out was an attempt to avoid a potentially embarrassing loss in front of his critics and detractors.