Presidential bets in light, subdued, interacting mood before debate

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines—The five presidential candidates were either in a light or a subdued mood just before taking the stage to participate in the debate hosted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and GMA Network.

Senator Grace Poe was accommodating when Inquirer entered her holding room. Just before the debate started, however, she said in front of media, “I just want to start already. So we can get it over with.”

“Nang magkaalaman na,” she said.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was just as accommodating but was relatively silent.

The tough-talking mayor laughed and touched the front of his traditional barong when INQUIRER.net editor in chief and debate moderator John Nery told him, “I think the people will watch to see you in a barong.”

Former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II was with his wife, television host Korina Sanchez, and his son inside the holding room.

Sanchez wore a pair of yellow heels, matched with a yellow beaded bracelet.

Roxas, who was not yet in his barong, smiled for the camera although his aides asked that he not be photographed wearing a shirt.

Vice President Binay was relatively subdued although he entertained the media. He joked with Nery, who had written about him in his Inquirer columns.

After staying in their individual holding rooms, the candidates were ushered to the common area near the stage.

“I thought I was going to be the last,” Roxas told a staff member when he arrived first.

Nevertheless, he gamely welcomed Binay and Duterte, who he jokingly told, “Nakabarong ka ah?”