Charles Teves
As expected, Bongbong Marcos left voters with no choice but to call him a coward once again after refusing to attend the CNN Philippines Presidential Debates.
Every time the camera panned to Marcos’ podium, it showed nothing but his name and a mic waiting to be used. This isn’t the first time he failed to make an appearance where he’d be asked to elaborate on his plans as president.
The most notable was the presidential interviews conducted by Kapuso journalist Jessia Soho. Marcos’ camp labeled her “biased” against his family hence the skipping. Shortly after, he passed an invite to the KBP Presidential Forum.
He was made fun of over the weekend, and rightfully so.
CNN: Can you publicly commit to fair, honest, and peaceful elections?
BBM: pic.twitter.com/aZryTnw10M
— Drix Salazar (@drixsalazar) February 27, 2022
The moderators asked candidates tough questions encompassing the issue of corruption and the pandemic. Luckily, he didn’t have to answer any of them for Marcos.
Marcos will definitely abstain from Question number 1. #IpanaloNa10To #10RobredoPresident #CNNPHPresidentialDebate. pic.twitter.com/Vr9DX2VICj
— Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) February 27, 2022
HAHAHAHAHA #CNNPHPresidentialDebate pic.twitter.com/8Lhcu5m89i
— Kerwin King (@imkerwinking) February 27, 2022
Since he announced that he’d be running for the top position in the country, the dictator’s son has never given the public any specifics on his policies.
Inabandona. pic.twitter.com/zslbqb6xfP
— Myk (@mykapalaran) February 27, 2022
Marcos would instead wave to his fans than prove why he is deserving of people’s votes.
https://twitter.com/krizzy_kalerqui/status/1497863428282585092?s=20&t=lbWXaY3ta0hQgf6sK4A0_A
Marcos’ camp is obviously trying to play it safe.
Marcos podium empty just like his platform#CNNPHPresidentialDebate pic.twitter.com/U0W0TJHDte
— Rambo Talabong (@ramboreports) February 27, 2022
#MarcosTakot 😹😹😹 pic.twitter.com/eWoGtVuIIw
— Jover Laurio (@PinoyAkoBlog) February 27, 2022
Meanwhile, the rest of the candidates stressed the importance of accepting invites to debates.
Communist Leody de Guzman noted that transparency is a priority.
“Napaka-importante nito dapat nandito ‘yung isang kasama namin. Bakit hindi pumunta dito? Importante ‘to para malaman sana’t masabi kung ano ‘yung mga programa, malaman ng bansa, ng ating mga botante kung ano ‘yung plataporma,”
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno also gave a perfect comparison, saying that running for president is like applying for a job, but the employer is the millions of Filipinos.
“Napakahalaga po sapagkat buhay po ng tao, ng mga kababayan natin, ang ating paglilingkuran sa anim na taon. Ang mga nanonood ngayon, kayo po sa mga tahanan niyo, sa mga cellphone niyo, kayo po ngayon ang HR Department. Kami po ay aplikante sa trabaho. Gusto mo naman ba mag-hire ng empleyado na hindi mo nakausap, hindi mo nakita, hindi mo nalaman kung anong karanasan, anong magagawa para sa iyong kumpanya? Metaphorically speaking,”
Senator Ping Lacson said the debates are like a knowledge test without a coach to lean on for backup.
“Napakahalaga ng debateng tulad nito kasi level ang playing field. Walang tutor, walang script, pati cellphone pinagbawal niyo pa. So, walang makakapag-Google. So, dito masusukat, maaarok ‘yung wisdom ng bawat isa sa amin at hindi lamang ‘yung wisdom kundi ‘yung grasp sa mga issues — current issues, past issues — dito ma-a-unearth. Hindi lamang wisdom, hindi lang kaalaman, kundi pati character minsan lumalabas sa mga debateng katulad nito,” he noted.
Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who is known for his love for the poor, looks at debates as a way for candidates to show how sincere they are in their advocacies.
“Napaka-importante po ng ganitong debate. In fact, ako po ang nag-request ng face-to-face na ganito dahil para makita po natin ang sinseridad ng isang tumatakbo. Makita natin ‘yung purity ng kanyang puso. Kaya importante po talaga ito dahil maipahayag mo ‘yung plano mo sa ating bansa kasi hindi ito kinabukasan mo lang, kundi kinabukasan ng ating bansa. Kinabukasan ng ating mga Pilipino,” he said.
Vice President Leni Robredo, on the other hand, said that leadership is a top attribute when difficult times arrive, and if one can’t even show up to debates, they may not have the stamina to run a country.
“‘Yung number one ingredient din ng leadership, aside from character, is you show up in the most difficult times. ‘Pag hindi ka mag show up in the most difficult times, hindi ka leader,”
