Duterte backs out of Carpio debate on West PH Sea

Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio expressed disappointment that President Rodrigo Duterte backed out of their planned debate on the West Philippine Sea issue.

Carpio had accepted Duterte's challenge to debate, but Duterte's spokesperson Harry Roque announced that Cabinet members advised against it, citing potential compromise of national policies and confidential information.

Roque stated that engaging in a debate with Carpio would be unfair as Duterte is the country’s chief executive while Carpio is now an ordinary lawyer.