BACK AT UST: CNN HOLDS ITS FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
By: Arvin Dollosa and Tobey Calayo
Nine (9) of ten (10) presidential bets vying to win the upcoming May 2022 National Elections discussed their platforms and positions on current national issues during the CNN Philippines presidential debate held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) last February 27.
Gathered in the live event were former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, labor leader Leody de Guzman, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, former defense chief Norberto Gonzales, Sen. Ping Lacson, businessman Faisal Mangondato, Dr. Jose Montemayor Jr., Sen. Manny Pacquiao, and Vice President Leni Robredo.
Has an instance of corruption happened under your watch and how did you deal with it?
Moreno’s office in Manila adapted to technology that limited human discretion in government transactions. He claimed that corruption in Manila is slowly but naturally dying, which he believes can be done in the entire country.
Lacson mentioned refusing to participate in the jueteng issue in Laguna and the pork barrel scam in the Senate. “‘Ni minsan hindi ako tumanggap ng suhol kapalit ng serbisyong publiko,” he said.
Pacquiao explained that he ran for the presidency to stop corruption within the government. “Gusto kong tapusin ang kanser ng bansa natin na siyang nagpapahirap ng bansa natin at nagpapahirap sa sambayanang Pilipino,” he said.
Robredo shared that she did not allow preferential treatments. Her clean track record on corruption can further be proved as the Office of the Vice President (OVP) acquired the Commission on Audit’s highest rating for three (3) consecutive years.
Montemayor reiterated that corruption is pervasive in the government. His experience in dealing with corruption stemmed from his professions in medicine and law, which demands consistent transparency and integrity.
Abella highlighted his experience as a presidential spokesperson where a trade-by-trade type of corruption surprised him, defining it as a ‘serious problem’.
De Guzman specified that he never divulges nor tolerates corruption and bribery as a labor leader. He stated how corruption should be rejected when offered, and assured jail-time and conviction for people involved in corruption.
As he was never offered bribery during his service in the government, Gonzales said that he would first need to understand corruption itself, and as a systemic problem.
Mangondato believed that a new system must be established to end corruption and all of its negative societal implications, where funds will be used to help the Filipino people instead.
Which government agency will you investigate for allegations of corruption?
All candidates present would request the Bureau of Customs to be investigated except for Pacquiao, who would want to inspect the Department of Health instead.
What would you do to keep our nurses here?
Moreno shared that he and running mate Willie Ong will open 17 new, modern hospitals, including an infectious and cancer hospital, which will create more jobs. To prepare for future pandemics, he underlined the significance of investing in Filipino scientists.
Lacson proposed the use of tripartite salaries and productivity boards to look into the compensation of private-sector nurses by the government. In 2019, Lacson referenced a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the legality of a legal law that fixed minimum compensation for nurses in government health institutions to Salary Grade 15.
Pacquiao committed to an increase in salary for all medical fronliners. “Kailangan itaas natin [ang sahod nila] na, hindi naman natin sinasabi na ipantay natin doon [abroad]. Basta may dahilan lang para dito sila magtrabaho at makapiling ang pamilya,” he explained.
Montemayor contradicted earlier presidentiables, stating that he filed for a certiorari mandamus against the government’s decision of deployment ban during the lockdown. He also stressed the urgency of sincerity and ‘sticking-to’ action over promises.
How do you balance the interest of consumers and that of the manufacturing, agricultural sectors?
Moreno advocated that the country and state should invest in Filipino farmers to ensure food and national security. To relieve the farmers’ burden, he proposed lowering the prices of electricity, fuel, and fertilizer.
De Guzman assured detachment from the old-policy centered on import-dependent and export-oriented systems and from the World Trade Organization (WTO) because of the removal of tariff and the lay-on of many products. He also emphasized the need to protect the farmers from trade agreements that usually favored the opposing party.
Gonzales stressed the importance of food security, by which imports must be regulated. He also mentioned that categorizing crops would improve the farming scene.
What’s your proposed across the board minimum wage?
Pacquiao proposed a P20,000-P30,000 minimum wage per month, which is around P700-P800 a day.
De Guzman proposed a P750 minimum wage per day, which is an increase from the current P527 amount. He said that this would motivate the labor force, resulting in a more productive economy and market.
How will you prepare our country for the imminent rise in the prices of basic goods?
Lacson stated that the Philippine economy is already affected by the Ukraine-Russia conflict with crude oil and fuel prices rising. He noted that the government gives subsidies to the transport and agricultural industry.
Robredo emphasizes the need for foresight and vigilance in a leader to anticipate incoming problems. She said that to mitigate the effects temporarily, the government can grant fuel subsidies and suspension of excise tax to allow financial savings.
Mangondato explained Russia’s presence as a superpower that can trigger other countries to support Ukraine, which may have devastating economic consequences to the Philippines as evidenced already by economic reports.
De Guzman wished to remove the deregulation law of the oil industry so that the government can set a ceiling and price regulation to avoid abuse by oil companies. He also wanted to extend a peace-call to Russia to stop the war, and also urged Ukraine to remain neutral, where the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United Nations (UN) would help settle the conflict.
Agree po ba kayo sa stance ni Secretary Delfin Lorenzana na neutral muna tayo ngayon sa Russia-Ukraine crisis?
Lacson cited Article 1 of the UN Charter stating that our country’s signatory has the right to condemn Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine. “Hindi naman masama kung makisama tayo sa mga peace-loving nations para maging bahagi ang boses natini ‘yung boses natin sa pagkondena kasi aggression talaga eh — invasion,” he added.
Moreno defends his stance, saying that he intends to prioritize evacuating Filipinos in Ukraine. “Filipino first, mga kababayan muna natin dahil ‘yun ang pangunahing trabaho ng isang presidente,” he stated. Moreno also expressed that the ongoing pandemic in our country must be attended to first before dealing with other matters outside the Philippines.
What’s your Plan B regarding the West Philippine Sea and China?
According to Moreno, if his initial plan to expand military reinforcements fails, he intends to utilize international relations for a peaceful approach. He also emphasized how much natural resources the Filipinos are entitled to and are endangered under China’s disregard for the arbitral ruling.
If multilateral talks fall short, Robredo’s proposed Plan B will be to use national power to devise a thorough response and defense by strengthening diplomatic relations. She would form an informational approach for an accurate narrative for the Filipinos, funding military forces, and constructing a resilient economy.
Gonzales highlights how Ukraine’s determination to stand-up slows down the Russian invasion This can be mirrored in the context of the territorial dispute with the Philippines and China as he advocates for national mobilization to solely prepare for war.
What is the significance of 11.7 trillion? How do you safeguard our growing debt?
According to Robredo, the foreign debt isn’t necessarily bad, but it is important to ensure that borrowed funds should be spent on essential matters. She also added that “Yung returns sa ating utang ay [dapat] mas marami pa kaysa sa inutang natin.”
Lacson suggested that one of the solutions for the national debt is a balanced budget and that non-essentials should not be included in the budgeting.
Pacquiao stated that borrowed money should be invested for projects with income returns. He claimed poor mismanagement in the country’s funds since the borrowed money was spent on our monthly needs.
“Talagang ang laki ng problema,” Moreno reiterated with his word choice of “challenging.” He said that he would confront the debt problem fairly by disposing of the underperforming assets of the state.
Abella mentioned that the country should not be afraid of low taxes, rather we should utilize the money well and invest it in great industries with good transparency.
Montemayor contradicts Robredo and Lacson by saying that no debt is out of good intention, he wishes to restructure and create a safety net. Lacson and Abella rebutted, the latter reinforced that debts have the capacity to be good as long as they are managed productively.
De Guzman said that the current debt stems from corrupt dynasties since the Marcos regime, he intends to audit the funds loaned and make corrupt officials pay. He also plans to change the current import-dependent and export-oriented system of the national economy.
How quickly can Filipinos feel your leadership?
“Well, I get things done. I don’t have to give a time-frame,” Moreno referred to his mayoral accounts to show his efficiency in governing. He mentioned his tandem with Doc Willie Ong and their plan to make the Filipinos have a more livable condition, feeling the presence of a government in action through the pandemic crisis.
Lacson stated his disregard for specific time-frames, “Una, ‘di ako naniniwala sa deadlines…” However, he declared his plan to cleanse the administration of the corrupt individuals within his first 100 days. He also emphasized the essentiality of moral ascendency to leadership and, more importantly, as part of his rule.
“Gobyernong tapat, angat buhay lahat.” On Leni’s first day, she pledged to pass an executive order regarding full disclosure to show transparency of her governance. She also plans to appoint competent individuals to straighten the ways of the administration, inspiring Filipinos to work alongside her through the formation of trust with proficient leadership.
For the first three (3) months of Pacquiao’s presidency, he intends to prepare his “mega-prison” for the burglars within the local and national government. He stressed that he would prioritize the livelihood of the micro-enterprises towards generating employment and income for the Filipinos, plus the government’s revenue income.
“Patas na bayan, gobyernong nararamdaman, at matatag na lipunan” are the three pillars of Abella’s administration, the civil society will feel this in the first 100 days.
Mangondato will put the government on auto-pilot with professionals and experts leading the way.
Montemayor promises that his leadership will be felt within 6 to 12 months, being dynamic with COVID-19 relief and economic recovery.
Gonzales does not believe in deadlines, especially in the first hundred days. He intends to envision better goals, setting the trajectory towards being a first-world country. He promises a start in the discussion of a better political system and constitution within the first six months.
“Labor first policy” immediately for De Guzman, ending contractualization and manpower agencies with automatic minimum wages that aren’t manila-centric before its increase. He wishes to deconstruct the policies and laws that empower strongman and capitalistic institutions.
References
CNN Philippines. (2022, February 27). CNN Philippines 2022 Presidential Debate [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/88HYDSc93wQ
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Gloria, G. (2022, March 1). IN PHOTOS: Behind-the-scenes of the CNN Philippines Presidential Debate 2022. CNN Philippines. Retrieved March 11, 2022, from https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/politics/2022/3/1/cnn-ph-presidential-debate-2022-bts.html
CNN Philippines Staff. (2022, February 27). Robredo, Lacson support same-sex civil union; Pacquiao reiterates opposition. CNN Philippines. Retrieved March 11, 2022, from https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/2/27/robredo-lacson-pacquiao-same-sex-civil-union.html
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CNN Philippines Staff. (2022, February 28). Presidential bets pitch measures to solve rising prices amid Russia-Ukraine crisis. CNN Philippines. Retrieved March 11, 2022, from https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/2/28/presidential-candidates-rising-prices-russia-ukraine-crisis.html
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Rey, A. (2022, February 28). Stand on LGBTQ+ spoils Pacquiao’s performance at CNN PH debate. Rappler. Retrieved March 11, 2022, from https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/stance-lgbtq-spoils-pacquiao-performance-cnn-philippines-presidential-debate-2022/
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