Advocates share hopes, expectations for VP debate

Rappler.com

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Advocates share hopes, expectations for VP debate
Rappler's advocates want more substance out of the vice presidential debate. Will the candidates deliver?

MANILA, Philippines – The candidates are not the only ones ready for the debate.

Civil society advocates are also raring to hear the candidates share their platforms and accomplishments in the only vice presidential debate.

The vice president’s capabilities as an official is one of their main concerns. 

What am I looking in a VP Candidate? Someone that will not just wait for the president to fly somewhere in order to function,” tweeted MA Sociology student Rae Emmanuel Echaveria.

Because they expect the vice president to be just as capable as the president, they – just as in the presidential debates – are hoping the debate will show concrete and substantial plans, and will inform voters of the vice president’s responsibilities.

For Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) Assistant Professor of Sociology Badz Calamba, candidates should discuss current issues the country is facing, and cited the Kidapawan farmers protest.

Anna Oposa of environmental group Save Our Seas said she wanted to hear plans to tackle climate change and environmental issues.

They also expected to hear candidates go into areas the previous two presidential debates missed.

For Barretto and Emmanuel, this means tackling the power crisis.

Calamba, meanwhile, wanted to hear platforms for education and the K-12 program.

Expert commentators from Rappler’s coverage noted several missed topics like the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues, urban development, health, and education.

The topics for the vice presidential debate are:

  • corruption
  • poverty
  • political dynasties
  • human rights
  • traffic and other urban issues
  • Internet connectivity
  • foreign policy
  • the issue of the VP as a “spare tire”

No more mudslinging

However, the advocates all concluded that they want candidates to stick to the issues and avoid the catfights and mudslinging.

The second presidential debate featured several catfights during hot-button issues like climate change, Vice President Jejomar Binay’s corruption charges, and the government’s handling of various crises.

Will the vice presidential debate offer more substance? – Rappler.com

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