CALUNOD, ABIGAIL S.

24, 2016
Pre-stressed Concrete

BSCE 5

February

ENGR. MICHELLE J. PAMAYLAON

#PiliPinas2016
Presidential election years generate a massive responsibility for the
Filipino voters. The public is charged with choosing the person who will serve
as the next leader of our country. The method of choosing the president
proved to be one of the most vexing problems that we face if we care
enough for the country, we would have difficulty and will give us doubtful
times on who will fit and qualified to serve us for six years. Judging the
Pilipinas Debate 2016 among 5 presidential candidates was necessarily a
subjective exercise for the voter, which certainly means the winner was
whoever the viewer said was.
The first official presidential debate in 24 years gets under the way in
Capitol University, Cagayan de Oro City last Sunday, 21st of February
organized by Commission on Elections in cooperation with GMA 7 networks
and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. It was been participated by the presidential
candidates; Vice President JejomarBinay, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago,
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Grace Poe and Former DILG
Secretary Mar Roxas.

The three rounds of debate tackled: first, the track record and
performance. Second, the poverty and development and finally, the third
round converse about the Mindanao. The 2 hour debate touched on
corruption and ill-gotten wealth, experience in government, health, morality,
Mindanao development, agriculture and the economy. These different issues
did not break any new ground nor introduce new issues which are naturally
always happening during presidential elections, over flowing promises which
certainly cannot be accomplished. But then again the main point of this issue
is to give the electorate a hint of how the aspirants think and talk on their
feet under pressure and to point out their future plans on how to solve social
issues that are common among the community if they will be fortunate to be
chosen. They had their own diverse opinions and ways.
Santiago pointed out, correctly, that what were bandied about in the
debate as planks of political platforms were nothing but motherhood

statements. She shot down some of them by simply asking how they would
be funded. There were no answers, because either the proponents had not
thought of the funding part or there was no more time for a detailed answer.
Citing her background, Santiago said: We are here looking for a real leader
who will implement all the valuable suggestions that were made here this
evening. But this is not a personality contest. This is not a show for
entertainment.
Binay hit the administrations under spending, saying it would not
happen in his presidency. Under spending delays performance, he said,
adding that without infrastructure requirements project costs go up and
improvement of livelihood is dampened.
Duterte go over his resolve to stop crime and corruption in the first six
months of his term. He said: Theres so much corruption, theres so much
crime, so much drugs flooding the country. And it seems nobody is minding
these problems. We just talk about them.
Poe repeated his promise to approve as president the Freedom of
Information bill. She said: Kailangan magkaroon ng pakikipaglaban sa
korupsyon. Kapag ako po ay naging pangulo, unang executive order,
magkakaroon ng freedom of information na matagal na nating ginugusto.
Poe was citing facts and figures to support her statements.
Roxas, said his being rich and privileged was no hindrance to his
helping the poor: Hindi ko pinoproblema ang kakainin ko sa bukas. Bakit ko
gustong maging pangulo? Dahil gusto kong maging ganito din ang buhay
ninyo. He was almost always very offensive and covers up the weaknesses
of the rest of the candidates, such as Poes lack of ability due to lack of
experience, Binays alleged corruption cases, and Dutertes intemperate
language and brutal ruling. He did not name them but it was too obvious. He
sounds very personal and is the most likely desperate to win. Roxas may be
forgiven for the personal attacks, considering there is the tested tactic of
offense being the best defense.
After all it was us to decide and to think. We must have to put in mind
that choosing a leader of our country is not a game; it will be our stepping
stone towards the betterment of our country. For the next six years, the
president that we will choose will be the one to look into solutions to the
problems that our country faces. As citizens of the Philippines we have the

duty and responsibility to choose the best presidential candidate in 2016.

Indeed every vote counts!!!