Poe urges rivals: Shun muckraking, name-calling in final debate

The five presidential aspirants square off in the first of three debates held at Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City: Vice President Jejomar Binay (left), Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Grace Poe and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. The event was sponsored by the Inquirer and GMA News. LYN RILLON/Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senator Grace Poe has appealed to her fellow presidential candidates to refrain from mudslinging and name-calling during the third and final PiliPinas presidential debate to be held this Sunday.

Poe reminded her rivals that when the election is over, “it’s all business as usual.”

“Pakiusap ko sa lahat ng kandidato, sana huwag namang magtawag ng mga masasakit na pangalan dahil pagkatapos nito balik rin naman tayo sa pagiging kung sino tayo,” she said in a radio interview during her visit to Bacolod City on Thursday.

(I appeal to my fellow candidates not to resort to name-calling because after the election, we go back to who we really are.)

READ: Grace Poe: Stop mudslinging, debate platforms instead

Poe said candidates should serve as an inspiration and set a good example by being responsible with the words they choose.

“May responsibilidad kaming ayusin ang aming pananalita at ayusin ang aming pagkilos sapagkat bilang isang lider, hindi ka lang nagbibigay ng order, ikaw ay nagbibigay ng inspirasyon at halimbawa.”

(We have a responsibility to be careful with our words and our actions because a leader not only gives out orders, he also serves as an inspiration and example to others.)

“Masakit ‘yon sa mga pamilya. Ang mga tao na sasabihin ‘puwede pala ‘yon? Puwede pala nating gawin ‘yon?’”  she added,

(It will only hurt our families. Some people might ask, “Is that allowed? Are we allowed to do those things?'”)

With more than two weeks to go before Election Day, Poe said candidates should just focus on issues that are relevant to the Filipino people.

Poe will share the stage with four other presidential candidates — Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Jejomar Binay,  former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago— for the Luzon leg of the presidential debates to be held at the Phinma-University of Pangasinan in Dagupan City.

READ: All systems go for last presidential debate in Pangasinan

The town hall-type debate is sponsored by the Commission on Elections and hosted by ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin. IDL