In a Friday press briefing, Roque revealed that he was designated by the President to debate against the former magistrate regarding the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in favor of the Philippines amid the continuous incursion of China in the country's territorial waters.
This, despite the fact that it was Duterte who initially called for the debate, to which Carpio immediately responded.
"Handang-handa po sana ang Presidente na dumibate, pero kagabi po tinanggap po niya ang advice ng ilang miyembro ng gabinete, sinusugan po ito ng 2 senador," said Roque, who did not disclose who are the two senators mentioned.
“Ang sabi po ni Presidente, tinatalaga nya po ang inyong abang lingkod na makipag debate kay retired Justice Antonio Carpio. Tinanggap ko naman po ang pagtatalaga ni Presidente,” he added.
Roque also noted that the debate will do no good for Filipinos.
"Wala pong mabuting magiging resulta ang debateng ito para sa sambayanang Pilipino," he continued.
"Si Atty Antonio Carpio ay ordinaryong abogado na ngayon. Parang hindi naman po tabla na ang Office of the President, Presidente mismo haharap sa isang ordinaryong mambabatas. Parang hindi po patas," Roque said.
On Thursday, the Philippine Bar Association (PBA) has offered to host the debate between Duterte and Carpio, who are both lawyers.
“Sabihin lang po ng Philippine Bar Association kung kailan, saan ang debate at sisipot po tayo roon,” Roque added.
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.
