‘Relaxed’ Roxas arrives in Cagayan de Oro City for 1st presidential debate

Liberal Party’s presidential bet Mar Roxas welcomed by some local officials of Misamis Oriental ahead of the first presidential debate for the 2016 national elections in Cagayan de Oro City. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—A jovial Mar Roxas arrived in this Mindanaoan city where the first presidential debate will be held on Sunday afternoon.

Joined by his wife Korina Sanchez and son Paolo, the administration presidential bet appeared relaxed as he arrived at the hotel where he would stay while preparing for the debate to be participated by the candidates running for the country’s highest post.

When INQUIRER.net asked Roxas how he prepared to face his rivals in the said debate, he just shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

Local officials of Misamis Oriental who were also members of the ruling Liberal Party served as Roxas’ welcoming party as he entered the upscale hotel, where his fellow presidential aspirant Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is also billeted.

The hotel lobby was filled by a mix of supporters in yellow—for Roxas—and red—for Santiago.

Supporters of the former Interior Secretary, who were mostly women, said they were pleased to see Sanchez with Roxas. “Nakikita ko lang si Korina sa TV. Ang ganda niya!” one supporter said as she shook hands with the broadcaster.

(I only see Korina (Sanchez) on TV. She’s beautiful!)

Later at 5 p.m., “presidentiables” Roxas, Santiago, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will face off at the “PiliPinas Debates 2016” which both the Inquirer and GMA 7 will host at the Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City.

READ: Inquirer, GMA 7 to host first presidential debate

Such is first presidential debate the Commission on Elections (Comelec) organized for the upcoming 2016 national elections in May.

READ: Presidential debates kick off

Both Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista and spokesperson James Jimenez arrived early at the venue to oversee the preparation for the program. RAM