“This is a red flag to voters.”
The Bongbong Marcos-Sara Duterte tandem believes they are cruising to victory, enjoying what seems to be a comfortable lead over their respective rivals in most poll surveys.
To both presidential and vice presidential candidates, participating in these debates or even cherry picking interviews is somewhat a deliberate campaign strategy. After all, their campaign handlers may be of the belief that the surveys and their popularity will carry them through with or without these debates/interviews.
Some may also attribute the candidates’ aversion to these debates and selecting interviews to “playing it safe,” complacency or sheer fear that the candidate’s positions may unwittingly or wittingly disclose their positions on certain issues that will antagonize their supporters, like the Marcos martial law record, hidden wealth, governance record or even Duterte’s controversial drug war.
Their debate strategy unmasks the true colors of the so-called Uni-team, but this is backfiring. Because of their non-participation, many are now entertaining doubts as to their competence or even readiness to take on the highest and second-highest positions of the land. This team reveals a condescending perspective of the voters, not considering that voters in fact make their final decisions on choice of candidates by the latter’s position on issues, their principles, and convictions or moral uprightness. To voters, this is a red flag, the equivalent of running scared.
Dishing out all sorts of excuses and alibis not to participate in debates are but pathetic attempts not to unduly expose their weaknesses. In effect, it is shortchanging the electorate, whether or not they are his supporters. It is sowing the seed for future disillusionment and dissention should they get elected. It reinforces the suspicion of the electorate on the competence, credentials and readiness of the candidate to take on the job he or she is applying for.
Laying down their platforms of government and their position on issues that affect public interest is a legal and moral obligation. The decisions and policies that the highest public officials of the country, or any other local official for that matter, will have far reaching effects on the whole country or the locality in the immediate future or even may reverberate for generations to come.
In the senatorial debate last week, we saw the power of debates. The awesome, exceptional performance of Luke Espirutu of Partido Laban ng Masa in exposing and shaming Larry Gadon and Harry Roque instantly converted millions to vote for him. This was not a surprise for me as I know Luke and was voting for him already. From the debates so far, we also know that Vice President Leni Robredo, labor leader Leody De Guzman, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Mayor Isko Moreno, Professor Walden Bello, and Senator Francis Pangilinan can certainly lead this country to a better place.
The national leadership is the captain, the wheel and the anchor that will set direction for the nation, navigate it to safer waters in times of turmoil, internal or external, and be an example and inspiration who will bring out the best in every Filipino. But then again, how can the voting public do this when the leading candidates snugly cuddle in the shells of their comfort zone? When they refuse to disclose to the public their positions, and bravely expose themselves to public scrutiny? Running a nation with 110 million souls is not for the faint hearted, with its myriad of problems and challenges. The pandemic, a weakening economy and external conflicts that have national repercussions are some of the difficult issues that the next administration will be facing. We need a president who will actually lead, not cower in the face of threats or difficulties. One who can inspire unity, not divisiveness, and give real solutions, not platitudes and superficial and aesthetic fixes.
Recently, the world was awed by the bravery, courage and determination to resist displayed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. Besieged from all sides by the enemy who is bent at annihilating his country, he showed the world what a true leader is. Because of his inspiring leadership, the Ukrainians refused to lay down their arms, continuing as one whole nation to put up a fierce resistance against the Russian invaders.
We need leaders like Zelenskyy. A comedian in his previous life, he has shown to all that being a leader is not a comic act but a serious calling, not something to be taken for granted. A leader is one who is ready to take on risks for the sake of his fellow countrymen. Can we expect this kind of candidate to show the same exemplary leadership qualities as President Zelenskyy?
I doubt it. If a presidential candidate is dodging simple debates and interviews, which is a duty and obligation to the voting public, what do you expect will he do when push comes to shove? As I said, being a true leader is not to seek fame, power or to protect one’s interests. It is all about sacrifice, and dogged determination to uplift the lot of our people.
People running scared from debates cannot lead a country. They should not be elected.
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