MANILA, Philippines — “I’m not afraid of you,” President Rodrigo Duterte said in a pre-recorded speech that aired Monday night, referring to retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, whom he earlier challenged to a debate on the West Philippine Sea.
Carpio accepted the challenge, but Duterte backed out, saying that presidential spokesperson Harry Roque would take his place instead.
Duterte reasoned that his statements in the debate could be misconstrued as policy and “might bind future actions of government” regarding the West Philippine Sea.
“The problem is here is that I forgot that it’s not Carpio who’s president, but I am,” Duterte said, speaking partly i…
Keep on reading: Duterte defends backing out of debate with Carpio: ‘I’m not afraid of you’