How Important Are Presidential Debates?

Nine presidential candidates gather in a live debate to face the nation as they strive to chart the country’s future.

Moderated by Pia Hontiveros and Pinky Webb, this Comelec-accredited debate is presented in partnership with the University of Santo Tomas and Microsoft Philippines, in cooperation with Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, Radio Philippines Network, and Business Mirror. Guests: Ernesto Abella, Leody De Guzman, Isko Moreno Domagoso, Norberto Gonzales, Ping Lacson, Faisal Mangondato, Jose Montemayor Jr., Manny Pacquiao, and Leni Robredo.

One of the questions that were asked by Pinky Webb to all the candidates was: How important are the presidential debates? I know you are eager to know what the presidentiables responses were to this intriguing question, but before we go to that first things first.

Debates are a national event of great importance — a kind of Super Bowl of Philippine democracy. In a presidential debate, the candidates expose their political opinions and public policy proposals, their platform, and criticism of them, to potential voters. In debates, the candidates explain their policy position and their overall agenda. Debates help voters make informed choices as they were given options to choose from 9 candidates, know the person, their temperament, their sincerity including the benefits and risks, and an expected outcome once the candidate is elected. 

Debate is the bedrock of democracy in any culture or political system. It is a fundamental part of freedom of expression.  It's funny how debates have transformed from getting to know the candidates better and lately they are promoted as some sort of entertainment to viewers. Who won and who lost becomes the subject of the day. And funny how the electors focus too much on issues of personal demeanor at the expense of rhetorical substance – how something was said, rather than what was said.

Debates are not constitutionally mandated, but they are now considered an intrinsic part of the election process. So when Bongbong Marcos choose to party with his

electors in Pangasinan, little did he know how nine other candidates outdo each other in spinning the reasons for his disappearing act?  Was it cowardice? Was it BBM's way of dodging and fleeing personal questions that are just too intrusive and

meddlesome?  Was BBM showing his true colors, (that in case of potential problems

the Philippines will face later on like war or pestilence, BBM will just retreat in his cocoon similar to Biden?)

Of course, we don't know the answer, but his opponents verbalized and shaded him

as he is the current frontrunner.  What will they lose if they traded minor jabs at him, while they still have time. Listen to them.

1. Leody de Guzman - Napakaimportante nito (debate), dapat nandito young isa pa kasama namin. Bakit hindi pumunta dito? Importante ito para masabi niya and mga program niya sa bansa sa ating mga botante, kung ano ang plataporma ....

2. Kiko Moreno Domagoso -Napakahalaga po. Sapagkat buhay po ng tao, ng mga kababayan natin ang paglingkuran natin sa anim na taon. Kayong mga nanonood ngayon sa telebisyon, sa inyong mga cellphone kayo po ang HR department. Kami ay mga applikante sa trabaho. Gusto mo ba maghire ng isang empleyado na hindi mo nakausap? Hindi mo nakita,.. hindi mo nalaman kung ano ang karanasan, hindi mo alam kung ano ang gagawin niya sa iyong kompanya?  Ang mga kababayan natin ay mayroon karapatan marinig ang mga layunin ng ating kapwa kandidato, and you deserve to know what is in our mind, ano ang nasa isipan namin, ano ang nasa puso namin. Mahalaga na marinig ninyo sa mga bibig namin ang mga layunin

at mga pangarap natin para mapataas ang antas ng pamumuhay ng tao. That is why I feel debates are important ...

3. Ping Lacson - Napakalaga ng mga debate, kasi level ang playing field ... walang tutor, at walang script.  So dito maarok ang wisdom ng bawat isa sa amin, pati na ang grasp ng kandidato sa mga current issues. Dito ito sa debate ma-unearth hindi lang kaalaman, pati character lumalabas sa mga debate katulad nito. Sana maencourage natin na magkaroon ng debate na face to face at sana lahat kami nandito...

4.  Manny Pacquiao - Nagrequest ako para magkaroon ng face to face na debate para makita natin ang sinsiridad ng isang tumatakbo, makita natin ang purity ng kanyang puso, dahil marami ang nagpapanggap kunyari mabait at hindi makabasag ng pinggan. At important talaga ito para mapahayag mo ang plano mo para sa bansa ... Kailangan sumipot tayo sa ganitong mga imbitasyon para maipahayag natin ang tunay nating hangarin at layunin para mapauland ang ating bansa.

5.  Leni Robredo - Napakahalaga po ng mga debate.  Ito ang pagkataon na marinig ninyo ang aming mga plano ... Ito ang pagkataon na suriin ang aming demeanor, makita ang aming character at pwede kaming tanongin sa aming track record. Yong number one ingredient ng leadership is your ability to show up in the most difficult time. Kung hindi ka magshow up, hindi ka leader. So kahit mahirap, kailangan nandiyan ka at kaya mong harapin ang mga itatanong sa iyo. Kailangan mong masagot kung ano ang issues laban sa iyo, at hindi ka magtatago. Para sa akin, ito ang pagbibigay halaga at respeto sa taong bayan ... at pagbibigay respeto sa proseso.

The point of a debate is to compare the candidates for the job they’re asking us to give them. And they differed pretty clearly on what they would do with the next six years