In America, campaigns for the presidential election are usually highlighted by a debate. It has been a tradition where presidential opponents engaged in a verbal duel, in the battle of minds and showcasing never seen or heard before policy ideas that make audience and voters alike open their mouths in awe, their jaw dropped in disbelief, the person he used to belittle before can deliver the goods in such crucial time in an election year.
The topics discussed are the most timely and the most controversial issues of the time, and no doubt the candidate's performance and the debate results oftentimes decide who won president that year. This debate to the information of everybody is not constitutionally mandated, but they are considered the intrinsic part of the election process. So if there is anybody who wants to skip the debates, HE CAN. But for sure the candidate will not deliberately put a nail in his political coffin at that early stage of the contest. One thing is sure he will be hounded by his non-participation and that will be a kiss of death to his budding political career. Usually, debates are oftentimes done to court, pursue and woo the UNDECIDED part of the population.
Had there been a US precedence where the candidate did not show up in the debate? I googled this one and so far there is nobody in the record.
In the Philippines today, BBM has not attended the debate sponsored by CNN and KBP, and he is planning not to attend the Comelec sponsored debate even though there are stern warnings of sanctions. But just to inform him and his supporters, (coming from a non-entity, a lightweight, and a small fry like myself) this kind of attitude is slowly eroding the voter's confidence because we have to admit it, the voters are slowly waking up and had learned to smell the coffee. The pungent aroma is there, all we need is to know what it meant and then decide.
On the other hand, to be fair to BBM, (Well I am always fair to BBM since time immemorial. For one I am giving him the benefit of the doubt, I have always been vocal about his ability to debate and I never said any below the belt remarks about him despite their family history) Isko Moreno Domagoso, Leni Robredo, Ping Lacson, and Manny Pacquiao promised to keep distant and not to touch SMNI debate with a ten-foot pole. And their mantra was, that the station's owner Quiboloy already picked his candidate. So attending this debate was just an exercise in futility to them. Their supporters also verbalized their concerns about whether SMNI can provide a fair and impartial forum for presidential debates.
Having said all these, my word of advice to the ten of them ... You guys are applying for the highest position in the land. If the Comelec asks you to attend the debate, we expect you to follow. It is not about what you want, or what debate methods you want to use, it is what the people want to know about you and your plans for the future. You can't select who sponsors the debate and who manned the proceedings. All planned rallies should be canceled and be resumed at a later date. And don't try that worn-out stance that the people in a certain city are important and you can't break your promise. Really ... more important than the voters from the whole archipelago? If SMNI, KBP or CNN organized the show, so be it. everybody should attend. Whatever hesitations, reluctance, and mistrust you have, it is not all up to you, otherwise the voters will also say the same thing: Now it is all up to us. You are wooing us, remember ... so don't give us the primadonna-ish attitude that you do as you wish.
And if the candidate complained he is not attending, dahil paulitulit lang ang mga tanong ... aba wala kang karapatang magreklamo,dahil paulit ulit ka rin namang nag-aapply ng trabaho. At yong pinakataas pa naman and pinakagusto mo. Ganyan lang talaga. Ano ang gusto mo ... the presidency will just be given to you in a golden platter? Nagaapply ka tapos ikaw lang naman ang masusunod? Saan ka naman mmakakita ng ganoon?
Debates are made for you to sell yourself to us, your policies, and your stand on every pressing issue. Appearing on stage meant that you are willing to be with us come hell or high water. Not being able to face the nation head-on and make a solemn vow that you will do everything in your power to help the Filipinos, the Philippines so help you, God. And think about it ... if you are selling yourself and your ideas to us, how can we buy your goods when you are not even available to answer our questions? We just don't rely on TV ads anymore and the fake news that inundates social media. Just that simple.
And besides a no-show or absenteeism in debates brings negative overtones and undertones. It could mean cowardice, fear, wimpiness, doubt, trepidation, or faint-heartedness. Being president is no bed of roses. Remember Joe Biden's indecisiveness in their last days in Kabul? A lot of American lives were on the precipice with he made that historic withdrawal. What happens if China made another aggressive activity in the West Philippine Sea, will the President just say, "Oh no not now, I am not feeling well."
Being President is a vow ... that you do solemnly swear that you will faithfully execute the Office of the President and will to the best of your ability. preserve, protect and defend the country and the Filipino people. What happens if people applying for this job seek it for the wrong reasons? Heaven forbid, what happens if the above scenario occurred and instead of helping the country he opted to jump to his safety?
Filipinos never have learned the lessons of selecting the wrong candidate. And six years is just a long wait to bargain for another batch of presidentiables. And then they made another mistake. And the vicious cycle continues.
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