Pols need to engage in debate, says Gordon

Former Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

FOR FORMER Sen. Richard  Gordon, what the nation’s voters need to hear is a healthy debate, not the propaganda the politicos dish out on the campaign trail.

Gordon’s call for debates had drawn the support of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who called it “a good idea.”

Gordon recently called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to require all national candidates to participate in a series of debates in all regions of the country prior to elections.

“We need this urgently so that Filipino voters can make informed and unbiased decisions based on the candidates’ qualifications, track record, platform of government, views on national and local issues and performance under fire,” Gordon said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The debates would be the true litmus test of the candidates’ capabilities,” he said.

Rather than “be unduly influenced by the quality and quantity of the candidates’ political propaganda,” the voters would be better off listening to the discussions, he added.

Gordon, Philippine Red Cross chair, is reported to be eyeing a seat in the Senate.

He ran for President in 2010, and senator in 2013, but lost.

Gordon suggested that the Comelec should spearhead the debates and tap the University of the Philippines school system and other state colleges and universities as venues for these events, allowing the candidates to constructively engage each other.