Binay hits long commercial breaks during CDO presidential debates
Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday said he was dismayed with the format of the presidential debate held in Cagayan De Oro City on Sunday, citing the long commercial breaks that could have been dedicated to the debate.
Binay made the statement in his campaign sortie at Tanauan, Batangas.
“‘Yung mga nakapanood sa inyo sa debate, mukhang mali ho yata ung pagkakadebateng ‘yun… Mas mahaba pa ho ang commercial kay sa sa malaman kung ano ang dapat malaman sa kandidato,” Binay said.
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He said he would write to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to suggest that they be the one to handle the presidential debates.
He said it should be that public interest precedes corporate interest.
“’Yung pag ganun sa telebisyon, dapat masuri, marinig kung ano ang paninindigan at ano ang pinaniniwalaan ng kandidato, at kung bakit siya ay dapat iboto. Eh pagkahaba-haba ng commercial. Ang akin hong gagawin ay susulat ho ako sa Comelec, kung pwede ba ikaw na lang ang gumastos. Ang laki po ng interes eh ‘yung mga kikitain ng mga palabas,” Binay said.
“Kulang na kulang naman po sa oras na matugunan ang dapat magawa ng mga haharap na mga kandidato,” he added.
Binay also questioned the format by which he was asked about his supposed properties when the debate should have focused on his track record.
During the debate, Binay said he has inherited and worked hard for the properties although he only declared two inherited properties in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.
“Umpisa pa lang, ang sabi ang pag-uusapan natin track record. Aba’y tinanong naman ho sa akin ang lupa kong namana at ang lupa kong nabili,” Binay said.
“Medyo kailangan na ho mabago ang format na ‘yun; kung hindi, sayang ho, sayang ang pinakapakay kung bakit nagkaganun na paghaharap sa taumbayan,” he added.
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The presidential debates, the first of its kind in 24 years, are organized by the Commission on Elections for the upcoming May 9 polls. The first leg was held Sunday in partnership between GMA Network and the Philippine Daily Inquirer in Cagayan De Oro City, Mindanao.
TV5 and Philippine Star will host the debates in Visayas on March 20. ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin will moderate the Luzon debates on April 24. Rappler meanwhile was chosen with CNN Philippines and Business Mirror for the vice presidential debate on April 10 to be held in Metro Manila.
