All five presidential candidates have arrived at the Phinma University of Pangasinan, where the third and final government-sanctioned debate will be held.
The last presidential debate on Sunday, initiated by the Commission on Elections and organized by ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin, will be in town hall format and will feature questions asked by ordinary Filipinos.
LIVESTREAM: Presidential bets square off in Pangasinan debate
Vice President Jejomar Binay was the first to arrive, a little past 4 p.m., with his daughter Senator Nancy Binay and her family. Escorting them were United Nationalist Alliance stalwarts Toby Tiangco and JV Bautista.
Binay was in Pangasinan as early as Friday, leading motorcades and campaign rallies in Alaminos City, Binmaley, and Dagupan City.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago arrived, separately, an hour later.
Reports said Santiago arrived via helicopter at the San Marino Place in Dagupan, a couple of hours after noon. Her vehicle convoy was showered with confetti by some supporters.
Duterte spoke briefly to the media, saying he is not after preference ratings.
The latest Pulse Asia survey, released on the morning of the debate, showed that Duterte is still leading with 34 percent of people tagging him as their first choice among presidential candidates.
Following 12 points behind is Senator Grace Poe with 22 percent. In third place is Binay with 19 percent and former secretary Mar Roxas with 19 percent. Santiago is trailing behind with two percent.
READ: Duterte takes 12-pt lead in latest ABS-CBN-Pulse Asia survey
Roxas, who was seen taking photos with supporters early in the afternoon, reached the university a couple of minutes before 5:30 p.m. He was with his wife television host Korina Sanchez and Pangasinan Representative Gina de Venecia.
Poe was the last to arrive. She was wearing a simple white shift dress.
Other personalities spotted at the debate venue were singer Aiza Seguerra and Duterte’s running mate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
Candidates are expected to be asked by sectoral representatives about their stand on the following issues: public transport, job security, health, foreign policy, basic public education, overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW) concerns, and peace in conflict areas.
Most of the candidates are scheduled to hold campaign rallies in different parts of Pangasinan. JE