Poe could have pressed Duterte on women's issues: analyst

Trishia Billones, ABS-CBN News

A political analyst said Senator Grace Poe could have pressed survey frontrunner Rodrigo Duterte on women's issues, including his controversial rape remark, during the last presidential debate on Sunday but didn't.

According to University of the Philippines Professor Prospero de Vera, Poe had the opportunity to do so in the debate's face-off segment.

"Palagay ko, si Grace Poe merong opportunity doon na napiga sana nya si Duterte na hindi nya nadiin. Ito yung issue nung pagtrato ni Duterte sa mga kababaihan, isyu ng women, yung salita tungkol sa rape, etc. Parang dumiin sya, pero hindi tinodo yung diin. Parang kulang," he said.

The Poe vs Duterte face-off was one of six face-offs among the five presidential candidates on Sunday.

De Vera said he spoke with some of the candidates' political advisers during the debate and one said, "hayaan mo na yung ibang presidentiable ang bumanat."

He also noted that the candidates are brave in hitting Duterte in campaign-sortie interviews, but apparently mellow down when facing the mayor during a debate.

"Palagay ko, yung mga susunod na araw, dun sila bubuwelta; hindi dito sa debate na ito," he added.

Aside from Poe, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Secretary Mar Roxas also stood out for De Vera.

He said both candidates were more comfortable with the debate's town hall format.

"Yung debate na maiksian ang sinasabi, nahihirapan sila kasi gusto nilang magpaliwanag," he said.