3 prexy bets urge Eleksyon 2022 aspirants to join debates, forums

Presidential aspirants Vice President Leni Robredo, labor leader Leody de Guzman, and Senator Manny Pacquiao on Thursday said aspirants for the May 2022 elections should participate in national debates to allow the public to know about their platforms and confront them about issues hounding them.

In an ANC interview, Robredo encouraged other election aspirants to join debates and forums where they could be challenged, saying the public would be at a disadvantage otherwise.

“Sana ‘yung mga kandidato, i-submit 'yung sarili nila to debates. I-submit 'yung sarili nila to events or forums na may opportunity 'yung tao na i-confront sila about the many accusations against them,” she said.

(Hopefully, the candidates will submit themselves to debates, events, or forums where the public has the opportunity to confront them about the many accusations against them.)

In a series of tweets, de Guzman informed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the public of his interest to join debates and discourses ahead of the elections.

“Tingin ko, tungkulin ng bawat kandidato na ipakilala ang kanyang sarili at kanyang plataporma sa mga botante upang magkaroon sila ng ‘informed choice’ sa Mayo 2022,” he said.

(I think it is the duty of every candidate to introduce himself and his platforms to the voters so that they could have an ‘informed choice’ in May 2022.)

He emphasized that it might be better if the Comelec will be the one to organize the debates for a “level playing field” to all aspirants and parties who are qualified but lack the resources for a big campaign.

This may also pertain especially to aspirants who do not wish to be indebted to powerful social interests, he added.

“Bahagi ito ng panukala kong electoral reforms [This is part of my electoral reforms proposal],” de Guzman said.

Meanwhile, in the interview, when asked how she intends to deal with concerns such as historical revisionism, Robredo said these could be addressed if aspirants would attend events where they could answer for themselves.

“Kung iiwas ka siguro dahil mataas na numbers ko, hindi ko na kailangang sagutin 'yan, o hindi ko na kailangang mag-appear dito, lugi 'yung taong bayan kasi hindi siya nagkakaroon ng opportunity to confront,” she added.

(If aspirants would skip debates just because they think they have high numbers in surveys or that they don’t need to answer anything, or appear in events, then the public would be at a disadvantage because they would not have the opportunity to confront them.)

De Guzman also shared the same viewpoint, saying that aspirants who are hesitant to join debates might also be reluctant in handling bigger tasks if elected in office.

“Kung may kandidatong nag-aatubiling humarap sa debate, asahan natin na mas mag-uurong-sulong sa mas mabibigat na responsibilidad bilang mataas na opisyal ng bansa, o maaring may itinatago sa sambayanan,” he said.

(If there is a candidate who is reluctant to face the debates, we can expect that s/he will be more reluctant to take on heavier responsibilities as a high official of the country, or maybe s/he is hiding something from the people.)

Pacquiao said he is “ready and excited” to participate in any presidential debate.

“Itong mga debate ng mga gustong mamuno sa ating bansa ay isang magandang paraan upang aming mailahad ang aming saloobin, layunin at programa para sa bayan at para sa ating mga mamamayan,” he said.

(The debates are a good way for those of us who want to lead the country to present plans and programs for the country and for our people.)

“Maganda rin itong venue upang maipaalam natin sa atin mga kababayan ang mga bagay na ating mga nagawa na bago pa man tayo pumasok sa politika at kung ano ang ating mga gagawin pa para naman guminhawa ang buhay ng mga Pilipino,” he added.

(This is also a good venue to inform our people about what we have done even before we entered politics and what we are going to do to improve the lives of Filipinos.)

The Comelec earlier said candidates for president and vice president are not required to attend debates organized by the poll body.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the law does not require candidates' participation in public debates, and that the Comelec cannot oblige the candidates to show up. — with a report from Hana Bordey/KBK/VBL, GMA News