XAVIER University is set to launch ‘Pag-ila 2025,’ a three-day election forum starting Saturday, where local politicians will debate key issues ahead of the upcoming elections.
Lathela Cimafranca, project head of Pag-ila 2025, described it as “a youth-led initiative” aimed at fostering informed voting through a series of candidate forums.
The event will take place on March 29, April 12, and April 26.
The opening session will feature aspiring city councilors from both the 1st and 2nd districts, followed by mayoral, vice-mayoral, and congressional candidates on the subsequent dates.
Cimafranca emphasized that questions for candidates are carefully crafted based on insights from voters’ forums.
"The information gathered from voters’ forums, didto among basis sa pag-formulate ug question nga i-ask sa mga candidates," she said.
Key issues identified for discussion include vendor concerns, water supply, garbage collection, and traffic conditions.
For the first session, representatives from various sectors — including farmers, environmental groups, Indigenous communities, transportation, and youth organizations — will have the opportunity to directly question the candidates.
"Kani sila nga mga sektor gitagaan namo sila ug platform para makapangutana gyud ug unsa ilang gusto ipangutana sa atoang mga kandidato," Cimafranca said.
The April 12 session will feature one-on-one interviews with congressional candidates, while the April 26 mayoral and vice-mayoral forum will take the form of a formal debate, moderated by the Xavier Debate Circle.
"Debate sya nga set-up (for mayoralty and vice-mayoralty), kani nga flow panguluhan sa Xavier Debate Circle," Cimafranca said.
Nestor Banuag Jr. of Namfrel pointed out the importance of media participation, noting that the event is fact-based and aligns with Xavier University’s mission to uphold truth.
"Basi ni sya sa unsay tinuod, dili nato pasagdan ang mga voters," he said.
The Pag-ila 2025 press briefing was attended by Comelec officers from the 1st and 2nd districts, Atty. Ramil Acol and Atty. Joel Dexter Nagtalon, as well as Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) President Froilan Gallardo, with COPC serving as an official event partner.
