By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
DAVAO Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has threatened again to skip Sunday’s presidential debate at the Capitol University (CU) here unless organizers agreed to let more local journalists in the debate venue, and allow them to freely cover the event.
Alex Paurom, assistant campaign manager of the PDP-Laban in northern Mindanao, said Duterte frowned over reports that only 25 local journalists would be given slots as “observers” in the CU mini-theater where the debate would take place, and that they would not even be allowed to bring in media coverage equipment.
“Nganong 25 seats ra man nga mo-anhi pa raba dinhi sa Cagayan de Oro ang mga media gikan sa Davao?” Paurom asked.
On Thursday, Commission on Elections (Comelec) supervisor for Misamis Oriental Joseph Hamilton Cuevas said all the presidential candidates, including Duterte, have already confirmed that they would take part in tomorrow’s debate.
Misamis Oriental Vice Gov. Jose Mari Pelaez also frowned over the media coverage limits set by organizers.
“What’s the purpose in bringing the debate here if only the national media will be given priority in the coverage?” asked Pelaez. “The rationale in holding it in Mindanao is to discuss issues pertaining to Mindanao which the local media can very well articulate. Kung minimal lang ang participation sa local media, didto nalang sa Manila himo-on ang tanang debate kung himo-on nila nga second class ang treatment sa local media.”
Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano called on organizers to allow equal and unrestricted coverage of the event and respect media’s rights while Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District said the restrictions would be tantamount to “gross discrimination” if the provincial press.
“Ngano man nga ilang i-limit ang media nga mosulod sa debate? Pina-agi sa media, ang katawhan masayod sa tubag ug plano sa mga kandidato sa pagka-presidente, unya ilang i-limit?” asked 1st District Rep. Rolando Uy rhetorically. (nitz arancon)
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