All VP bets confirm attendance for Pilipinas Debates

All the six vice presidential aspirants for the May 9 elections have confirmed their attendance for the Pilipinas Debates 2016 to be held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila on Sunday.

On Friday, CNN Philippines vice president for News and Current Affairs Alfonso “Pal” Marquez III said the respective camps of Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV have all confirmed that their VP bets are participating in the debate.

“Yes, all the vice presidential candidates will be present. So we expect a very exciting debate on Sunday,” Marquez said.

CNN Philippines, in partnership with Business Mirror will be the host of the first and only Pilipinas 2016 Vice Presidential Debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

To be held at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion gymnasium, the debate will last for two hours or from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The gymnasium has a total seating capacity of 4,100 people.

Marquez said topics to be discussed during the debates include corruption, corruption in relation to poverty, political dynasties, human rights, peace and order, traffic and other urban problems, internet and mobile connectivity, foreign policy and the vice president as the “spare tire.”

Meanwhile, Marquez said that just like the second presidential debate held in Cebu City on March 20, all the vice presidential candidates will be given the opportunity to react on every question during the debate.

Marquez said questions based on the topics identified above will come from the two moderators, live audience and even the netizens.

“There will be general questions and there will be direct questions. Pero unlike previous [presidential] debates, hindi na kami nag draw lots kung sino yung candidate na magtatanungan. We’ll let it to our discretion to decide who will be pitted against whom,” Marquez said.

“Kasi kapag draw lots, let’s say yung dalawang kandidato they don’t differ in views, I tell you, there won’t be a debate. Kailangan yung merong conflict. So we will decide on the spot. We told naman the candidates and their representatives about this,” he added. — RSJ, GMA News