“You cannot promise to unite the nation if you cannot even have the guts to face your foes like a man.”

Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao dished out this verbal missile at fellow candidate former senator Bongbong Marcos who has been skipping presidential debates or forums.

So far, the son of the late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was a no-show in two major events: The Jessica Soho Presidential Candidates’ Interview on GMA 7 and the forum organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters ng Pilipinas (KBP). Bongbong also announced he was not attending a CNN interview with other candidates set later this month.

Pacquiao warned voters against candidates who refuse to face their rivals and avoid public scrutiny because ” they are either incompetent or have too many skeletons in the closet.”

The boxing idol, who has attended all the debates held so far, said attending face-to-face debates is a very important responsibility for anyone seeking the highest and most powerful position in the country.