It Pays to Know

Last night, my family and I gathered in the kitchen and live-streamed the #PiliPinasDebate2016 hosted by Luchi Cruz-Valdes of TV5. This is the second of the three-series debates spearheaded by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). The event was organized by COMELEC and in cooperation with TV5 and The Philippine Star among others. This was held in UP-Cebu's Performing Arts Hall and was a battle of wits among four candidates only as Miriam Defensor-Santiago underwent a clinical trial for an anti-cancer pill. Nevertheless, her supporters attended in her stead as they say there was a need to "make their presence known".

Image from philstar.com

Social networking sites (SNS) are still abuzz about what happened last night, the reactions were varied from simply being annoyed to downright infuriated. Though, there were times that that the candidates were pretty entertaining (by) themselves. But personally, I haven't really gotten over the delay. It was supposed to start by 5 p.m. and finish at 9 p.m. but it was pushed for more than an hour and finished roughly at 10 p.m.

So what happened? Apparently, Binay wanted to take his "notes" with him, claiming they were evidences and he had prepared with these beforehand. However, it was stipulated in the conditions that no as in NO candidates were allowed to take any form of notes, documents or what-so-ever once they stand in the podium. Sure, they can look at them, review them backstage and even consult with their advisers during breaks. But no notes once it starts. This has been the initial set-up in the first leg, why all the trouble now?

Yet, Binay, insisted on bringing his notes. It was quite apparent actually that they were pinning all the blame on the host / moderator Cruz-Valdes, an error she admitted and apologized for. I honestly felt bad for her as she looked ready to pass out even before the debate itself started. I could just imagine her inner goddess screaming, "STRESS!".

Anyway, this went on for a while and the other candidates were then asked if they would allow Binay to use his notes, as opposed to the agreed rules. Roxas, of course, strongly objected, Duterte also said no and told him to compromise since they have wasted a lot of time already and though Poe was more amendable, she said this, "Basta tayo, ako, para sa akin, basta kami ginawa namin ang nararapat, bigyan sya ng pagkakataong mag-eksplika at ang taumbayan na ang huhusga." Ohhh, big words di ba?

Image from wikipedia.org

Anyway, the debate started (finally)! This time the candidates had more time to address the issues and the questions thrown at them. Though the format itself was much better than the first one and the commercials were not as long (thank God!) the candidates were, well, they were making sapawan.

And yet again, Cuz-Valdes was pretty much ready to faint! There was a lot of mudslinging too, my, my an all-out entertainment! But then again, I think people were kinda expecting it. Politics was never a clean game. A lot of meme already flooded my timeline and the netizens coined new expressions such as "Excuse me, oras ko to." Hahaha. . .

What's good about the whole thing despite the delay and all the ruckus is that the general public saw how the candidates handled the situation, the manner in how they answered and how they acted even when the  event finally wrapped up. Well, there is much to be said about those who stayed and greeted the hosts / sponsors and the one who just left without a bye-leave. 

It was quite nice to know that #PiliPinasDebate2016 and other related hashtags were trending. It showed that as a nation we are doing our part by involving ourselves. It pays to know. After all, we are the ones who's going to put them in the position to lead us to greatness or ruins for the next six years.

P.S  

If you missed out on this, click here! Look forward to the last leg of the debate series to be held in the University of Pangasinan on April 24, 2016 and to be hosted by ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin. 

** Images used in this post are credited. No copyright infringement intended.