A recap on the 2nd leg of the #PiliPinasDebates2016
VISAYAS LEG. Four out of five presidentiables showed up for the 2nd debate held at UP Cebu last Sunday (March 20). Photo by Krizjohn Rosales via philstar.com
For the 2nd part of the PiliPinas Debates 2016 series, a more-heated exchange took place as TV5, Philippine Star, and BusinessWorld co-presented the live simulcast of the much-anticipated presidential debate that took place at the University of the Philippines Cebu last March 20.
Video courtesy of TV5 Philippines via youtube.com
As administered by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), this debate aims to let the presidentiables have a platform to present their opinions on important issues in the country. For the Visayas leg, TV5 News Chief Luchi-Cruz Valdez moderated the event and several spectators, journalists, and media reps witnessed the debate that lasted for about 3 hours.
Presidential candidates Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas (Liberal Party), Senator Grace Poe (Independent), Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (Philippine Democratic Party-People’s Power), and Vice President Jejomar Binay (United Nationalist Alliance) participated in the event, while Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago (People’s Reform) skipped the debate due to a clinical trial for an anti-cancer pill.
For the recap on what happened during the debate, here are the highlights of the PiliPinas Debates 2016:
1. Cause of delay
Originally scheduled at 5 pm, the debate was reportedly delayed due to a miscommunication regarding Binay’s insistence to bring documents on stage. According to reports, Valdez allowed Binay’s camp to bring documents onstage, not knowing that this was prohibited as per Comelec rules. Thus, this resulted with the delay of the debate for over an hour, as the management, Comelec, and Binay’s camp iron out the issue back stage.
2. The debate proper
As per the debate format, a panel of journalists asked questions to the candidates who were given two minutes to respond. Others then had 30 seconds for rebuttal, and another 30 seconds were given for the particular candidate to reply. Part of the issues covered were topics such as the Freedom of Information Bill, corruption, tax laws, Yolanda rehabilitation, crime, and the Coco Levy issue. Following the segments, candidates were given time to ask questions to each other regarding national issues.
3. A ‘more-heated’ exchange
As the first salvo of the debate commenced, Binay vowed to be in favor of the FOI bill. Poe made a backlash regarding the former’s statement, as she brought up Binay’s ongoing investigation regarding the alleged corruption case. In return, Binay raised Poe’s citizenship issue, which prompted him to ask “Are you a true Filipino? You’re ashamed to be a Filipino!” to Poe. While debate was ongoing, several issues were brought up which made them veer away from the original issue for discussion. Roxas was pummeled for his ‘failure’ on being a DILG secretary with regards to Yolanda rehabilitation and his Wharton degree; Binay was targeted for his alleged corruption case; and Duterte for ‘Davao’s high crime rates’. In between segments, candidates chided each other with the issues they faced since the campaign started.
4. ‘Taas-Kamay’ portion
For the Taas-Kamay (Hands Up) portion of the debate, each of the candidates will have to raise their hands if they are in favor of the issue presented by the moderator. If not, no justification is needed. The first issue stated was legalization of divorce. None of the candidates raised their hand meaning they are not in favor of its legalization. Despite Santiago’s absence, her staff via Twitter expressed that Santiago is in favor of divorce on two grounds. For death penalty, Duterte and Poe raised their hands to express their stance for the issue. The last question for the portion asked was “Are you in favor of former President Marcos to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery)?” Both Duterte and Binay raised their hand which meant that they approve of the said matter.
5. Concluding statements
After the debate proper, each candidate was given 60 seconds to deliver a statement on why they deserve to be the next PH president. Here’s what they have to say:
Vice President Jejomar Binay
“Enough of mediocrity. … The Filipino people deserve no less from a President.”
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte
“I can tell you now, I can provide leadership. Not only platforms, but leadership.”
Sen. Grace Poe
“Ako po gagawin ko ‘to, akong isang ipinanganak sa Iloilo… Ang korapsyon ay dapat masugpo.”
Mar Roxas II
“Dapat ipaglaban ang Daang Matuwid. Kung may kulang, punuan natin. Kung may mali, itama natin. Kailangan ibalik sa disenteng tao.”
via bilangpilipino.com
6. Social media sentiments
Minutes before the simulcast, netizens have already tuned in to various social media sites as they expressed their opinions regarding the second leg of the debate. Most opinions were an expression of dismay as the debate was delayed for over an hour. However, when the debate finally commenced, netizens shared their sentiments on Twitter with the hashtag #PiliPinasDebates2016. The hashtag became the top trend worldwide, having over 1 million tweets.
According to a Rappler report, it was Duterte who dominated social media as he became the most-talked about candidate during the debate. Figures started changing while the debate was ongoing, with Binay and Duterte taking turns on the top spot.
The third and last presidential debate is slated on April 24, 2016 to be hosted by ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin at the University of Pangasinan for the Luzon leg.
The next debate which is the vice-presidential leg is set on April 10, 2016, as CNN Philippines, Rappler, and Business Mirror co-present it at the University of Santo Tomas.
Related: 5 Highlights of the PiliPinas Debates 2016
Source: Bilang Pilipino; PiliPinas 2016 Cebu Presidential Debate: Winners of Part 1; #PiliPinasDebates2016: Highs and lows on social media; Inquirer.net; Philippine Star
