WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) organized three debates, ahead of the May 9 polls, to help the public scrutinize candidates running for the country’s highest post.
At 7 pm (Manila time) on Sunday, April 3, the Comelec holds its second PiliPinas debate for presidential bets. Nine of 10 presidential candidates are set to attend this second debate at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent.
The first presidential debate was held on March 19, and the third is scheduled on April 24.
Scroll down this page for live updates, context, analyses, and fact checks from Rappler as the debates unfold. Further down the page, click “load more.”
LATEST UPDATES
Robredo on her fave book ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ being mocked by Marcos supporters
After her video describing her fave book “To Kill a Mockingbird” was mocked by Marcos supporters, Robredo says “talagang nahahalata na merong ang trabaho ay maghanap ng diperensya, okay lang naman sana kung talagang may diperensya, pero eto magsisinungaling talaga.” pic.twitter.com/GPjx24GVyg
— Lian Buan (@lianbuan) April 3, 2022
For context: I asked her in an FB Live what’s her fave book. She said it’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, but some social media posts went on to claim she didn’t answer it. She did, then explained how the classic book helped inspire her to become a public service lawyer.
— Mara Cepeda (@maracepeda) April 3, 2022
Robredo laughs off the fave book issue: Ito yung nakakalungkot dito kasi kung talagang may mali kang nasabi, okay naman yun eh. Pero halimbawa, yung favorite book, obviously fake news, kasi sinabi ko naman talaga yung title ng book. #PHVote
— Mara Cepeda (@maracepeda) April 3, 2022
WATCH: Robredo on Marcos camp reaction that people who said they were paid to attend Tarlac Uniteam rally were planted by ‘dilawan’
VP Leni Robredo on the Marcos camp reaction that the people who said they were paid to attend the Uniteam rally in Tarlac were planted by dilawan: “Grabe naman, sa lahat ba naman kami pa yung magbibigay, siya kaya yung may record na ganun hindi kami.” pic.twitter.com/plhNAMB7k0
— Lian Buan (@lianbuan) April 3, 2022
De Guzman on human rights: ‘Kill, kill, kill’ and red-tagging are wrong
Presidential bet Leody De Guzman says we are past barbarism and must respect human rights. He criticizes the administration’s violent response towards its critics and also singles out NTF-ELCAC for its acts of red-tagging.
Lacson: With Martial Law past, PH should lead in human rights
With its experience of having been under Martial Law, the Philippines should lead Southeast Asia and the world in promoting human rights, Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Sunday, April 3.
“That is our obligation, not just because we went through a time like that, but also because we are a signatory to the United Nations, we are a part of the UN Declaration of Human Rights,” Lacson said in Filipino during the 2nd presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections.
Lacson and other candidates were asked about the action that the Philippines could take in relation to the reported human rights abuses in Myanmar, a Southeast Asian neighbor. Myanmar has been shrouded in violence and protests after a coup launched by the military unseated the democratically elected government in February 2021.
Read the full story here.
Lacson on human rights violations in Myanmar
Presidential bet Ping Lacson says the Philippines should join other ASEAN countries in condemning repression in Myanmar, as the PH is a signatory of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Moreno: ‘Ang kailangan natin ay crisis manager’
For his closing statement, presidential bet Isko Moreno described himself as the crisis manager that Filipinos need.
“Mga kababayan, hanggang ngayon po, hindi ko sukat akalain na humarap sa inyo ngayon. Sinong mag-aakala na ang isang basurero ay puwede maging kandidato bilang pangulo? Mahirap isipin, pero hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa alam anong purpose ko sa mundo. Pero I guarantee you, tayo po ay nasa krisis, ang kailangan natin ay crisis manager,” Moreno said.
(Fellow citizens, until now, I never imagined that I would be standing before you today. Who would have thought that a garbage collector could be a presidential candidate? It may be hard to believe, but until now, I still don’t know my purpose in this world. But I guarantee you, we are in a crisis, and what we need is a crisis manager.)
“My foreign policy is Filipino first policy. Tayo muna. Mamamayan muna, bansa muna natin. Setting priority: tao. Kayo po, itatawid namin kayo ni Doc Willie Ong, may awa ang Diyos, at sa tulong ninyo, bigyan ninyo ako ng pagkakataon na pamunuan ang ating bansa, itatawid namin kayo sa krisis na ito,” he said.
(My foreign policy is Filipino first policy. Our people first, our country first. Setting priority: people. Doc Willie Ong and I will get you through this, and by the grace of God and through your help, if you give me the chance to lead this country, we will get you through this crisis.)
