TV 5 news executive Luchi Cruz Valdez made a major booboo in communicating a Comelec rule to VP Binay that resulted in an exasperating time delay in the live broadcast of the presidential debate at the UP Visayas in Cebu City.
Her immediate confession, however repentant, did little to assuage the hurt feelings of Binay who was mostly at the receiving end in the consequent repartee.
The new format was a marked improvement on the first (held in Cagayan de Oro) but the over-lapping responses from all four protagonists (Sen. Miriam Santiago sadly didn’t make it) transformed the dialectics into a free-for-all.
That would have been an ideal set-up for Miriam because she is the ablest among them when crossing swords in such a forum.
There were name-callings but the tirades swirled around only three contenders: Binay vs Poe vs Roxas; Poe vs Roxas vs Binay; and Roxas vs Binay vs Poe.
Why? Because by attempting to put the other two down, the mudslinger thought his/her survey ratings would consequently rise up.
Where was Duterte while these three pretenders were swapping harsh diatribes, spilling beans and throwing mud against each other?
With an amused grin, the Davao City Mayor was hands akimbo, watching and listening to them destroying each other because there was little that the three could muster throwing at Duterte.
Appreciatively, Valdez, as the moderator, allowed all contestants more than just elbow room to knock each other out, like in a tag team wrestling match.
But believe me, while Mar and Grace were glib talkers, both failed to correct mis-impressions etched in the public mind about their erroneous forays in the Yolanda and American citizenship issues, respectively.
Roxas’ long explanation about being there in Tacloban before, during and after Yolanda, did little to erase his now monumental statement to thousands of Leytenos: “Bahala kayo sa buhay nyo.”
Binay harassed Poe on her citizenship turnaround when she swore allegiance to the American flag. “Do you know the term ”abjure”? Binay translated it for her: “Abjure means to renounce solemnly.”
Poe never recovered because the record spoke for itself when she embraced American citizenship for her own convenience, thus turning her back on her own country.
While the three were frantically trying to out-speak and drown the others, Duterte was too decent a gentleman, raising his hand to be recognized by the moderator and butt in.
Fortunately, his timely forays stopped them cold in their tracks. When he gave Poe a situationer, assuming China destroyed two RP coastguard boats, the lady senator missed out when she failed to mention the convening of the National Security Council for the purpose.
Presidents, when faced by such highly critical national defense issues, always convene the NSC for immediate appropriate advice. Horrifyingly, Grace missed this one. Hindi pa talaga handa si Grace Poe para maging pangulo ng Pilipinas.
Binay, his credibility already hurting, was on the defensive all night as Roxas, Poe and even Duterte ganged up on him when the subject of corruption came. Duterte, who earlier had signed a bank waiver to display his transparency, prodded Binay to sign one.
In their individual commencement messages, Roxas, Binay and Poe enumerated their lengthy platforms and promises, wallowing in very descriptive but generalized statements that he/she can bring progress to the nation. But none came close to making bold, categorical action plans and commitments as did Duterte.
The Davao City mayor firmly echoed his thrusts on three fronts.
In effect, he said: “Within three to six months, if I become President, I will take care of the pestering illegal drugs trade, take care of crime and criminals and do away with corruption. Just give me the chance and I will do it.”
Can “Galing at Puso,” “Matuwid na Daan” and “Ganito Kami sa Makati” slogans beat Duterte’s straight, down-to-earth “Tapang at Malasakit” battle cry?
(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com). God bless the Philippines!
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