Malacañang on Saturday said they were hoping that the second presidential debate hosted by the Commission on Elections in Cebu would center on issues and the candidates’ platforms, and trigger a healthy exchange of ideas and opinion.
“Sana maging masustansya ito at maging paraan para talagang mapag-aralan natin lahat ng mga kandidato,” Communications Undersecretary Manolo Quezon said over state-run dzRB.
The second presidential debate will be held at University of the Philippines Cebu on Sunday. The debate proper will run for about three hours from 5 p.m. and will focus on disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation, healthcare, education, and fight against corruption.
Quezon urged Filipinos to take the time to watch the debates to get to know the candidates and their platforms better.
“Sana nga magtabi ng oras ang ating mga kababayan para manood, kung hindi nila maka-catch ‘yung actual showing nung debate, may replay pagkatapos. It’s important that we all have a chance to study the different candidates, pag-usapan nila ‘yung mga plataporma nila,” he said.
He added that the debates would be a reminder to politicians and supporters alike to stick with the issues instead of resorting to personal attacks and mudslinging.
“Siguro, may lesson din ito para sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin. Habang umiinit ang panahon, umiinit din ang usapang politika. Okay lang ‘yun lalo na kung passionate tayo tungkol sa mga kandidato natin, sino man ‘yun,” Quezon said.
“Ang problema lang kung nagiging personal masyado and lahat naman tayo dadaan sa panahon kung saan mapipikon tayo or medyo maiinis but siguro makakatulong kung iisipin natin na ang pagpipili kailangan talaga mahati ang lipunan kasi pipili tayo ng panig,” he added.
Despite having different stand on issues and preferred leaders, Quezon said Filipinos would be left with no choice but be united after the May polls, bounded by a single president elected into office through the people’s mandate.
“Kaya lang pagkatapos ng eleksyon, kailangan naman tayo mag-unite, dahil isang pangulo lang ang pipiliin natin, isang bise presidente at kung sino man ‘yun kailangan natin galangin ang mandato na binigay nating lahat at kung ganoon ang layunin natin, siguro naman humanap tayo ng paraan para maintindihan ng kapwa natin at huwag na gawing masyadong personal at below the belt ang pag-uusap,” he said.
All presidential candidates except Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago are expected to attend the debate on Sunday, sponsored by TV5 and Philippine Star. In a statement, Santiago said she would undergo a clinical trial for a new anticancer pill which would give her free access to the medication.
A third presidential debate will be held on April 24 in Luzon. RC
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