The University of Santo Tomas became the venue of the first-ever PiliPinas Vice-Presidential Debates 2016, organized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), in partnership with the Kapisanan ng Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), Business Mirror, and CNN Philippines, which provided the live streaming of the debate, on April 10, 2016 (Sunday) at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
CNN News Anchor Pinky Webb and Journalist Pia Hontiveros were the moderators of the debate, participated in by all six (6) candidates: Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, Ferdinand Jr. “Bongbong” Marcos, Congresswoman Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, and Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV.
On Leadership
For their opening statements, the VP candidates were first asked to define their mode of leadership. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said that, in public service, a leadershould only serve the interest of the many, rather than to serve the interest of the rich. Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said that every Filipino was equal in terms of public service. Next, Senator Gringo Honasan said he will continue to work for peace and security and will also help those who will build the future. Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos said the Philippines needed a leader truthful to his service and who puts first the need of majority before his own benefit. Camarines Sur Congresswoman Leni Robredo said she will listen to the voice of every Filipino and promised to lead a government that will inspire everyone to live with integrity. Lastly, Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV said he will address on the problem of peace order, particularly on the battle against drugs, which he noted as an impediment to the Philippines’ economic growth.
On Corruption
The VP candidates were asked to discuss their way of fighting corruption. Escudero discussed Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) as a way to ensure the people transparency in every government transaction and to also minimize discretion since it was tantamount to corruption. Honasan proposed that the National Government should empower its Local Government Units, while Marcos said he will continue maintaining his clean record in his time of public service. Robredo said there were three elements needed in anti-corruption drive: 1) Accountability of Public Officials 2) Transparency of government transactions which publicizes the documents and (Full Disclosure Bill) 3) People participating in good governance. Trillanes proposed that raising the wages of government employees should be enough in a way that they would not give in to corruption. Cayetano cited that Trillanes, Honasan, and himself fought against corruption throughout their time in public service.
On the Penalty System
From the audience, Medicine student and UST Aktiboto Project Director Raymond John Naguit asked Senator Cayetano, “What do you think is the most appropriate penalty for graft and corruption?” Cayetano responded with “It is not the actual penalty, but the certainty you will be caught and punished,” But Trillanes argued that the penalty must be graduated, “Petty theft cannot be equated to plunder,” He also stated that the offender, using ‘kotong cops’ as his example, should be re-indoctrinated and rehabilitated so that it can serve with better purpose for the society.
On the Judicial System
Business Mirror Columnist John Mangun asked what the VP candidates’ thoughts were in improving judicial system to which Trillanes responded with his proposal of institutionalizing the internal ombudsman for the judiciary to provide the mechanism to police their ranks and to allow them to be secured. Honasan backed up Trillanes’ answer and proposed to reinforce the political party system and convene the Legislative Executive Advisory Council (LEDAC). “The first steps must be political,” Honasan ended. Robredo added that the ease of doing business in the Philippines must be improved, but while she agreed with Honasan’s and Trillanes’s points, she said they missed one important point: “That is to make sure the judicial appointments will not be political anymore,” she said.
On Human Rights
When asked if he willacknowledge the human rights abuses committed during his father’s term, the younger Marcos shrugged off the question and said he certainly acknowledges all the abuses committed in every administration.
“I think it is necessary that we do so or else we are to repeat the mistakes and abuses from the past,” he said.
Then, he claimed that there were no allegations and suspicions in his years of service.
Moreover, Marcos Jr. said he can apologize only for himself and not for his father.
On Political Dynasties
CNN Philippines Senior Correspondent Ina Andolong threw the question to the VP candidates in keeping political dynasties in check. Escudero insisted that he was in favor of Anti-Dynasty bill but did not choose to participate in molding it. He stated that it was not right to participate in authorizing such bill because he belonged to a dynasty, which the bill prohibits. However, Honasan pointed out the vagueness of the meaning of dynasty. “First, we do not know its definition,” Honasan said. “If political dynasties served the public interests or not, then we make a decision.” For his part, Trillianes does not believe that election relied on names. “We should examine if he/she is corrupt or not, regardless if he/she has relatives [in the government],” Trillanes said. He then asked Escudero as to why he did not cite his mother, congresswoman of Sorsogon, for transparency purposes. Escudero said that his mother did not have any opponents in their district. Marcos said that the people should forget their names and focus on their records in public service.
On Foreign Policies
In the final stretch of the debate, the VP candidates tackled foreign policy. CNN News Senior International Correspondent Ivan Watson kicked it off with the question: “How would your future administration deal with China and with the competing claims to Spratlys Island in the South China Sea?”
Robredo said the Philippines should empower the military and wanted a multilateral means of peace to the other claiming countries. Trillanes said the modernization of military must be gradual and must be balanced alongside plans of reducing poverty; he also noted that the Filipinos must improve ties with the neighboring ASEAN nations.
CNN Anchor Kristie Lu Stout asked the VP candidates their message to the future U.S. President and how will the PHL-US ties evolve. Marcos said that there should be an agreement between the Philippines and China to give chance for the fishermen to fish. Escudero said all must be on equal footing, pertaining to the Philippines’ ties with other countries.
“Why should the Filipinos vote for you?”
To cap the debate, Cayetano justified his and Duterte’s plans will change the country. Escudero said that the election was not about him or the other candidates but it was all about every Filipino’s interest. Honasan cited that he was a hardworking lawmaker and noted that he was as a good figure in their family. Marcos said he had a clean record throughout his 27 years in service and promised to unite all the Filipinos. Robredo said, as a mother, she will not neglect her country and the Filipinos in need. Finally, Trillanes stated that the Filipinos need a brave leader who will resolve the crimes.
The Yes-or-No Questions
Each of the main topics was closed with categorical questions, which the candidates had to answer by flashing the sign of either a thumb up (Yes) on one side and a thumb down (NO) on the other side, to the audience, and they were not allowed to provide an explanation to their answer.
All six of the VP candidates responded with thumbs down when asked if they engaged to corrupt practices.
When asked if corruption can be included in the death penalty, only Cayetano gave an affirmation.
Only Cayetano, Escudero, and Marcos flashed their affirmation when asked if they belonged to a political dynasty; all of the candidates responded with a unanimous “Yes” when asked if it is time to pass an anti-political dynasty law.
When asked if they support same-sex marriage, all of the candidates answered with a “No”. However, Robredo justified her stance, insisted that the government should be open to civil unions.
All of the candidates answered “No” to the question: “Is the Philippines doing enough to address climate change?” All VP candidates answered, “Yes” if they will continue fighting for lowering the income tax.
All of the candidates had the same view with regards to TELCOS’ unsuccessful delivery of the promised Internet connectivity in the country: a unanimous thumbs up.
Lastly, the candidates were asked if they had plans to run for presidency in the future. Robredo, Marcos, Escudero, and Honasan answered with a “No”. Trillanes did not answer, “It is now that simple to answer that question”. Also, Cayetano did not give a specific answer, “Now, I do not have plans. But I don’t wanna put that (thumb down) and then in the future (might do otherwise).”
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