In a statement, PBA president Rico Domingo said the organization is willing to host the debate on the date and time Duterte and Carpio may agree.
"The Filipino public will benefit immensely from a frank and straightforward discussion on a matter that affects the entire citizenry," Domingo said.
"As the oldest voluntary private organization of lawyers in the country, the PBA will provide a balanced arena fit for two lawyers of eminent stature and experience to dispassionately discuss the core issues relating to the dispute on the West Philippine Sea," he added.
Domingo emphasized that the lawyer's group "stands ready to provide this forum for free and at no cost to either parties conformably with its staunch advocacy to promote the Rule of Law."
On Wednesday night, Duterte claimed that Carpio was among those involved in the decision of letting Navy ships during a 2012 standoff with China at Scarborough Shoal. He vowed to resign from the presidency if his statement will be proven false.
Duterte also challenged the former magistrate to a debate, of which Carpio immediately accepted.
In his statement, Carpio said Duterte should “resign immediately” to keep his word of honor.
“President Duterte should now resign immediately to keep his word of honor. I state under oath that I was never involved in the decision to withdraw Philippine Navy ships from the West Philippine Sea during the 2012 Scarborough standoff,” Carpio noted.
The President earlier accused Carpio and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario as the ones who let China keep its presence in the country’s territorial waters during the Aquino administration.
The two former government officials were at the forefront of the country’s bid against China, which claims the West Philippine Sea.
