JCM: The thought-provoking Vice-Presidential Candidates’ Debate, their strong and weak points

Monday, April 11, 2016

The thought-provoking Vice-Presidential Candidates’ Debate, their strong and weak points

The Vice Presidential debate was immediately enthused on the topic of corruption with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano leading the allegation. Horde of supporters of the candidates blown up the Quadricentennial Pavillon of the University of Santo Tomas in applause and heckles as the two opponents[1] questioned each other during the vice presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections (COMELC) and CNN Philippines with its media partner, Business Mirror.

Corruption as the first topic evidently strikes the hearts of Filipinos, resulting in a heated exchange between colleagues, senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, who both said during the debate that they are good friends. They only cooled down when the moderators diverted the discussion to the other candidates, and asked on different issues aside from corruption.[2]

The exchanges of heated arguments between the two senators and the vibrant spectators set the mood of the more than 3-hour debate. All of the six rivals (Senators Cayetano, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, and Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo) responded to all the questions, some taking more time than others to defend their positions on the issues of corruption, poverty, political dynasty, human rights, peace and order, connectivity, urban and traffic issues, and foreign policy.

The debate was disrupted several times when protesters screamed anti-Marcos slogan “Never Again!”, when Bonbong Marcos tried to speak or respond to questions about his family’s alleged ill-gotten wealth sparked off by Cayetano’s remarks. The exchanges between Cayetano and Marcos and later between Marcos and Robredo gained the solid feedbacks from the spectators.

Here’s the highlight of the debate and these serve as their strongpoints “if the country could get what they promise once elected”

2016 Vice-Presidential Debate
Allan Peter Cayetano Senator Independent		Chiz Escudero Senator Independent	Gringo Honasan Senator United Nationalist Alliance

Hits Marcos saying the Marcos’ family stole $10 billion, and questioned where he got the hundreds of millions of pesos reflected in his statement of assets and liabilities, considering that he only earns a small salary as a government employee. He insists that Marcos is linked to the PDAF scam, saying he got angry with him when the former asked PDAF scam witness Maia Santos to attend the Senate inquiry on the issue. “Martial law was not about peace and order, it was about keeping one family in Malacañang,” he exclaims.	Asserts that his colleague failed to attend and deliberately refused to attend the probe on PDAF scam, implying that Marcos personally knows Napoles, who cleared Marcos from the issue.	Says that keeping internet speed slow guarantees more income for telcos that charge for texting and voice calls. Once fast internet is acquired in the country, most of the people would just use Viber or some other applications than text or call. This is why telcos don’t want fast internet. Fast internet is a right not just for students but also for parents and every Filipino who wants to connect with their loved ones online, he says.	Claims that corruption in the government should not only be the main focus in the anti-corruption efforts, but also the corruption in the media industry, telling that some are corrupt and irresponsible. Very powerful. They've almost rendered the courts, the justice system irrelevant... He will fight trial by publicity. He also stresses that to get rid of corruption, poverty, social injustice need to be solved, partnered with proper education. Likewise, he mentions that the internal and auditing codes currently in the law should be amended.
Strikes Marcos that their family has been involved in ill-gotten wealth during the administration of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s administration, telling his fellow countrymen that he’s surprised when Sen. Marcos said his family is clear of this issue. $10 billion was stolen during his father's regime, that's P450 billion. Then the other week he was surprised, P205 million was put in Napoles NGO, that's pork barrel, not of his father but his.	Promises to get rid of corruption and criminality in six months. Declining to detail on their plans, he says that this is possible if he, together with his presidential running mate Davao Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte, will be elected in office.	Maintains that relation is on of "equal partnership." However, he says that the problem arises when the U.S. views the Philippines as a "little brown brother." That the country gets belittled in this relationship. He said that the Philippines should stand on equal footing with the U.S. He also expressed pessimism with a Trump presidency.	Professes that long-term planning could decongest Metro Manila roads. "You should determine agricultural, industrial, commercial and educational centers (outside of Metro Manila)," he says. Guaranteeing job and food security for residents in provinces would help solve the traffic problem.
If Marcos gets elected as the next vice president, it might be possible that his family’s ill-gotten wealth may reach up to $100 billion. Accuses the Marcos family of blocking government’s recovery of some $1 billion of ill-gotten wealth. He dares Marcos for a fact-check. If he’s wrong, he will withdraw from his candidacy, but if Marcos is wrong he will not only withdraw, he will also return the money to the people.	He and Duterte would copy the rivals’ proposals, saying that improving the public transportation system had long been part of JICA and NEDA's master plan for Metro Manila. He points out that a Mindanao railway system had been proposed since 2010 and had yet to begin construction. There’s no efficient railway system in Mindanao because almost of the politicians concentrate on Manila, he says. A twin-airport system, where the Clark International Airport was to be utilized, would also help decongest Metro Manila roads, he adds.	Indicates that when FOI enacted into law, would serve as the “light and camera” in each of the transactions with the government, wherein it ensures that it will be easier to see who commits wrongdoings and to punish them. If the Poe-Escudero tandem is elected, they would establish changes in government institutions like the Bureau of Customs. For example, the Bureau of Customs, pockets will be prohibited. Secondly, the tables will be changed into a transparent glass, he says.	Calls the vice president as a "co-pilot than a spare tire, telling that when the pilot goes to the restroom or checked on the passengers, the co-pilot must be as efficient (as the pilot) because lives are at stake.
When Marcos mentions that voters should not look at the candidates' family names in choosing a vice president, but on their track records, this gets him hackles up, exclaiming in obvious reference to Marcos' lineage and the martial law years of his father, the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. He follows it up by posing a hypothetical scenario: What if thirty years later, a grandson or granddaughter of suspected pork barrel scam ringleader Janet Lim-Napoles ran for public office?	Contrary to Trillanes’ view he says that the vice president is never a spare tire and never felt like a spare tire in his entire public service. The vice president is commonly commissioned for a cabinet position. For him, this is unnecessary, as he sees himself more of "agenda setter." "I do not need a cabinet position - just put me in a position where I can see to it that all our platforms are implemented," he says.	He points out that the idea concerning the position as a spare tire only surfaced during the recent administrations, as the vice president was commissioned to look into housing, which some people deem as a small task.	He emphasizes that security "in the general sense" will be his top concern if elected as vice president. "I will help achieve security in all aspects of society," he says.
He recalls that only three of them who have truly fought against corruption and willing to risk their lives - Trillanes, Honasan, and him. Tell me, which issue on corruption I was not present? Edsa 1, Edsa 2, on Binay, on Arroyo, on SSS, on fertilizer scam, I was there and I fought, he says.	Only small-time thieves go to jail than the big-time plunderers. If one steals antibiotics or bread, he gets jailed. But if he steals big amount, he becomes a congressman. If one still steals bigger amount, he becomes a senator. If he is friend with Napoles, of course Napoles will clear one’s name, because they are friends, one will be a vice president, he stresses.	Concerning transport system which is also the same sentiment of his running mate, he says that it should start with replacing Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya. That this administration has done nothing. If there is a will, there's a way.	When asked about the persistent issue of peace in Mindanao, for his part, he says that the answer to this issue would be "good government." He stresses that addressing the root causes — social injustice, poverty, ignorance, and hunger — would begin to solve the problems in Mindanao.
The are 50 billion reasons why internet speed is slow. Telcos earn P50 billion. Any efforts to change and improve will be useless and cannot be expected if telcos have a hold on politicians by the neck and fund politician. They also influence, who’s appointed to the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC).	The problem in Mindanao is caused by poverty and historical injustice. A shift to a federal form of government and providing "equal opportunity for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao" would solve the Mindanao issue, he says.	When asked about the persistent issue of peace in Mindanao, he says that solving poverty in the country would address the problems of crime and rebellion. Once elected, he and Sen. Grace Poe would allot a third of the national budget for Mindanao.

Vice Presidential Candidates’ Debate
Maria Leonor Robredo Camarines Sur Rep. Liberal Party	Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV Senator Independent	Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Senator Nacionalista Party

Articulates that the Marcoses should acknowledge the wrongs committed during the Marcos regime and, more importantly, return the money the family allegedly stole from the people. She also demands Marcos to give compensation to over 75,000 persons who filed claims for human rights violations victims during martial law, to be taken from the Marcos family's "ill-gotten wealth, highlighting that those were stolen from the public. She thinks it is not right to just acknowledge it but should be returned. She thinks of three elements needed to get rid of corruption - accountability on the part of public officials, transparency in government transactions, and people’s participation in governance.	Suggests that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) should become independent. Government efforts against corruption should be intensified by having an anti-corruption agency under the executive department. Resident auditors in the Commission on Audit should be removed, and that auditing should be raffled off to lessen the possibility of auditors being bribed, stressing that for now there is no agency for that. That if there is anti-corruption agency, someone will instantly investigate and they can be dismissed and be suspended administratively. Government employees’ salaries should be increased to discourage bribery, he says.	On the Philippines-U.S. relationship, he would like to remind the U.S. that the Philippines is working towards the national interest but "not for Washington, or for Beijing, but for the Philippines." Arbitration is a good way to discuss the Philippines' claims, but highlights the need for a dialogue to resolve the dispute. He underscores the significance of an agreement signed by China and the Philippines, trying all possible ways." Regarding the U.S. elections, he expresses hesitance in a Donald Trump presidency, describing the Republican frontrunner as "rather belligerent."	Does not reply when attacked by Cayetano regarding $10 billion ill-gotten. In his defense, he just flatly denies Cayetano’s claims and questions where he got his figures. On alleged human rights violations during his father’s leadership, he says that while he acknowledges “every human rights abuse in every administration,” he cannot apologize for someone else’s wrongdoing. That he will apologize for any wrongdoing that he may have done and any mistake that will have caused anyone any pain or hardship but he can only apologize for himself. There has been no allegation against him for human rights abuses during his 27 years in public service, he says.
Asserts that the country’s internet speed is 3 Mbps but it’s so expensive. It’s not only for young people. So many businesses depend on the internet. As her children say, it’s already a human right, she points out.	Expresses his approval of the country's arbitration case in The Hague: "We have to unite as a nation behind the arbitration case." He says that the country should wait for the arbitral tribunal's decision but should also strengthen its military. However, he was quick to point out the time and resources involved in such an undertaking. That the country should also strengthen its strategic partnerships with other Southeast Asian countries and the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. And that the country should not take on a hostile approach with China, given its other relationships such as trade, commerce, labour, and tourism.	Referring back to Robredo’s statement that Marcoses should acknowledge the wrongs committed during the Marcos regime, he says “I cannot give what I do not have,” denying he has any ill-gotten wealth. He also says he will apologize to anyone he has hurt personally during the Marcos years but he could not apologize for anyone else, including his father.	Concerning Robredo’s allegation on ill-gotten wealth, he says, “I cannot give what I do not have.” He says that the reparation case is now just between government and human rights claimants, and that the Marcos family is no longer involved in the issue. Acording to the news, a total of P10 billion was allocated for the reparation, which will come from the Marcoses' Switzerland accounts.
Envisions the country to take on a "leadership role" that organizes other claimants of the disputed waters. She says that the country's claims would strengthen if it receives cooperation from other claimants like Indonesia and Vietnam. That the country should pursue negotiations through multilateral means than bilateral talks.	For him, the vice president is "indeed a spare tire", if the Philippine constitution is the basis. But, traditionally and historically, the lawmaker said the vice president is given another position in the government, usually in the cabinet, he says.	Projects and contracts on improving the MRT should be given to the competent, adding that improving road infrastructure by adding bypasses could help lessen congestion. He also proposes moving government offices and business centers outside of Metro Manila.	He says that voters should not look at the candidates' family names in choosing a vice president but instead look at their track records, which triggered a heated exchange of arguments. Believes that corruption remains to be a barrier to progress. The next administration should give equal treatment to everyone, including opponents and supporter, in exercising the rule of law, he points out.
Bicolanos had long been clamoring for the improvement of the PNR. Decentralizing business and government in Metro Manila would help solve the problem, asserting that from the provinces they don't want to go to Manila, but since most opportunities are here, they have no choice but be forced to come here. It’s easy to say that the number of private cars should be reduced. But while the mass transport system is inefficient, more people will prefer to use private vehicles as the former is more stressful. She welcomes the rapid bus transit system that recently started, and agrees with the proposal to give drivers of public vehicles a regular salary so they don’t compete with each other to get passengers (Presently, public transport drivers in the Philippines earn through a boundary system). Likewise, she says that the long-term solution is to ensure development of the countryside.	Provides a more direct proposal - saying government centers should be moved either to Pampanga or Nueva Ecija. A monorail system - much like what Sydney, Australia had, should be put up, which will be faster to put up since it does not need to dig that deep, he points out. Echoes Robredos’ sentiment while presenting other suggestions like the need to move the country’s capital to either Pampanga or Nueva Ecija comparing it with Malaysia who moves government centers to the provinces to decongest the city.	In response to Cayetano, Marcos explains that he did not attend the hearings because he would not want to be involved in a probe being used for political agenda, rationalizing that it's clear to him that the probe is not an anti-corruption move but a politically-motivated one. That he will not participate in that kind of politicking, where the people's money is being used for some people's political motives. It turns out that some would only want to show-off, he asserts. Quickly rebutting Cayetano, he says, “I was just wondering, is that how he became a congressman? Is that how he became a senator?” He exclaims that, “That’s not how I became congressman, that’s not how I became a senator.”	Says that in his long engagement as a politician, both locally and as a senator, he was not dragged into any issue of corruption. Referring back to Cayetano’s allegation on pork barrel scam, he quickly dismisses the latter’s claims asserting that first of all he mentions big numbers, which have no basis, and wondering where he got it. He also wonders, he and Senator Alan are together in a longtime, that they are allies and both in the Senate but he does not mention about any of these. He stresses that, if there are strong pieces of evidence against him, the present administration would have used it against him already. He says that they have already answered the issue on PDAF. That if there is evidence, he is sure that the government will use it against him, pointing out that he is Marcos and the president is an Aquino.”
As one of the co-authors of FOI bill in the House of Representatives, she says that the government should pass the FOI bill, but not the version that is currently in the Senate, describing the Senate’s version as “demand driven,” which says that government will only release documents which are requested. Were as her version, even if there is no demand, the government is obliged to release the documents.	When asked about the persistent issue of peace in Mindanao, he answers that first, saying it is important "to go back to the negotiating table." He says that the present version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) should be revised because there were many constitutional provisions and security provisions that should be included. Likewise, he proposes to create autonomous regions, one for Central Mindanao and one for Basilan Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, because historically and culturally they had been different groups, he points out.	When asked about the persistent issue of peace in Mindanao, he claims that the key is "to continue the peace process." He also said that the BBL should include all sectors (women, local government, Christians, Muslims), emphasizing that these sectors should be involved in the solution and understand the peace process. He is pushing for a substitute bill.	He says that vice presidency has own mandate, stressing that his election to this position is not to just wait and become a spare tire. If elected, he wants to handle the Labor Department, as employment has become a challenge for the country, he says. He promises to end contractualization and to guarantee protection of all members of the workforce. Training programs for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is also his priority.
If elected, she wants to handle the government's anti-poverty programs.	Says that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will be concentration if he wins the race. He will fight for good governance and the dissemination of best practices in local government units (LGUs so that the best practices in progressive cities may also be applied to other cities.	When asked, “Is the country's second highest post just a "spare tire"? He says that he is not inclined to answer the question, as he would only accept orders from his president. That he’s not in the habit of responding to questions when he’s not being asked by his president Sen. Grace Poe.	Quickly clarifies that he was taken out of context by Cayetano, and he didn't mention anything about forgetting history.

The debate was also highlighted with “Yes” or “No” segments, which some senators replied differently from their previous responses.

On same sex-marriage , all six candidates said “No.” However, Escudero, Marcos and Robredo flip-flopped; previously all three were in favor of it. Conversely, Robredo prefers civil union.

All of them acknowledged the suitability of an anti-dynasty law, with Cayetano, Trillanes and Marcos modifying their previous stands.

Everyone also had the same opinion that the Philippines is not doing enough in dealing with climate change.

Everyone, except Cayetano, opposed the death penalty for corruption, and with the same opinion on reducing income taxes and putting telecommunications companies liable for slow Internet speed.