Debate organizers expect fireworks

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

ORGANIZERS of the “Final Debate 2016” among the city’s top three mayoral and three vice mayoral candidates yesterday said they expect fireworks at the Limketkai Atrium where the warring politicians would meet face-to-face for the last time less than two weeks before election day.

Organizers said they have agreed on a format that would allow more room and time for the mayoral and vice mayoral candidates to really engage each other.

Security would be tight at the debate venue where the political rivals would be allowed to bring some 1,500 partisans or 500 supporters for each of the three warring political groups.

Organizers have also allotted a thousand seats for journalists, local officials, and partner organizations

Nestor Banuag Jr., convenor of Lihok 2016 and chairperson of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro, told a news conference that the event would be open to the public, and tickets are given for free.

Lihok 2016 is a loose network of non-partisan organizations like church and community-based groups that advocate for voter education.

For those who prefer to stay at home or elsewhere, the debate would be aired live by Parasat Cable TV, Channel 45, and broadcast by a number of radio stations.

The “Final Debate,” expected to be the biggest political gathering in the city this year, would be the third and last public debate among the top local candidates in the city since the start of the local election period. The first was organized by ABS-CBN and the Cagayan de Oro College-Phinma while the second was held at Xavier University.

Banuag said reelectionist Mayor Oscar Moreno and his challengers Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the 2nd District and former mayor Vicente Emano have accepted the invitation to the “Final Debate.”

Organizers said reelectionist Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas and his challengers Joaquin Rainier Uy and Councilor Roger Abaday have also confirmed that they would come and debate.

“The event will give the local candidates a bigger audience,” said Rotary Club of Kalayaan CDO president and Gold Star Daily columnist Netnet Camomot, one of the debate organizers.

Camomot said the public debate would have a questions-and-answers portion on specific issues.

“Ma-touch na dayun ang mga issues that are against them,” said Camomot.

The debate would cover topics on health and sanitation, peace and order, governance, economy, food security, education, and sectoral issues based on the research made by Kinaadman center of Xavier University.

Program moderator Gian Libot said organizers have already briefed the local Liberal Party, Centrist Democratic Party, and Padayon Pilipino about the flow and mechanics of public debate.

Gean Cesar, program chairperson, said each political party is allowed to bring in 500 supporters who would be assigned seats in areas that are color-coded. The partisans are allowed to bring leaflets and placards but not anything that can be used to hurt people.

Cesar said the police and in-house marshals would secure the debate venue, and would strictly enforce rules. She said unruly acts would not be tolerated, and erring people in the audience would be sent out.