PDP-Laban standard bearer Rodrigo Duterte (File photo)
TAGUM CITY — Far from his usual cussing and off-hand statements, presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte showed a “gentler” side of him and was able to deliver his platforms clearly in a presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro over the weekend.
“He is good in presenting his points. Clear and uncut. It was very obvious that he has more to say, but the debate time limit restricts him to articulate more,” a political consultant of the administration’s party here told DavaoToday on Monday, February 22.
The source, an experienced local political consultant and one of the Liberal Party’s consultant in Tagum City, requested anonymity due to conflict of interest.
On Sunday, February 21, Duterte and other presidential candidates Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Grace Poe Llamanzares, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and former interior secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II were in Cagayan de Oro City for the first leg of Pilipinas Debates 2016.
In his opening statement, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) standard bearer Duterte vowed that within three to six months of his presidential term, he will rid “corruption” in the government which is a central theme of his campaign.
“If I become president, I will get rid of criminality, drugs and corruption. Just give me three to six months. I will deliver,” he declared.
When asked about his plan to improve the lives of fishers and protect the seas, Duterte has pointed out that “implementation is the key” in order to solve these problems. Davao’s tough-talking mayor said that the country has sufficient programs intended for fishers but were poorly implemented because of ineffective implementation and corruption.
On rice cartels and price manipulation, Duterte said that he will “arrest smugglers, build food terminals, establish credit coops with P1B per region.” He said that he will deliver all these within three to six months of his term.
On Mindanao issues, Duterte said that there’s a growing clamor for federal government because Mindanao received only a meager share from the national government.
“64% of projects are in Metro Manila. Mindanaoans are angry because we are not getting a fair share of tax revenue…That’s why people clamor for federal government,” Duterte said.
“Unless we pursue federalism, nothing can appease Mindanao. I would offer not only the BBL, but federalism. You have to right the historical wrongs committed against Mindanao,” he added.
Duterte’s performance in the debate, however, did not earn the praise of Bukidnon State University professor Leomar A. Liboon.
He said that Duterte and the other candidates resorted to “motherhood statements” instead of clearly explaining their programs on issues that will set the tone of their leadership.
“The debate should be the proper venue for them to clearly present their programs. But sadly, what we hear from them are the same statements we already hear from their sorties,” Liboon said.
When compared to U.S debates, Liboon said that yesterday’s presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro was not “extensive” as expected.
“I think the organizers should reconfigure the debate format especially the topics covered so that it will be more extensive.”
The event, organized by the Commission on Elections in partnership with several national media agencies, earlier attracted controversy after its organizers said it would limit the number of local press who will cover the debate.
Duterte warned to pull a no-show if the issue of “discrimination” raised earlier by the local media would be left unsolved. (davaotoday.com)
