HIGHLIGHTS: Comelec’s PiliPinas Debates for VP candidates

Who did not win tonight

.@jnery_newsstand: I was expecting SP Tito Sotto to do much better…. He is within striking distance of Sara Duterte. We’ve seen this sudden move for people to coalesce around a common candidate.#RapplerRecap https://t.co/o7XuksOfJW

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 20, 2022

.@jnery_newsstand: I've seen SP Sotto preside over conference…. He's much more charismatic in those occasions. It's an average performance, I would say.#RapplerRecap https://t.co/o7XuksOfJW

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 20, 2022

VP candidate Manny Lopez says the Filipinos’ bayanihan spirit propelled better mitigation of COVID-19 pandemic. He also calls for better health systems in the country.

Play Video

.@jnery_newsstand: The most consistent critique was Walden Bello.

Bello earlier addressed the Comelec questioning the 'lame' punishment by the body for candidates who are absent without justifiable reason. #RapplerRecap https://t.co/o7XuksOfJW

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 20, 2022

VP candidate Willie Ong says the country needs to look out for other common diseases and put up more infectious diseases hospitals in order to address other possible variants of COVID-19.

Play Video

How did the absence of frontrunner Sara Duterte impact tonight's debate?@jnery_newsstand: The absence of the frontrunner had real impact in the debate. Duterte is starting to feel the consequences of not showing up. Her rivals really attacked her.#RapplerRecap

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 20, 2022

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, the most senior in government among vice presidential candidates for 2022, highlighted his three decades in public service as a final pitch for bid at Comelec’s PiliPinas debates on Sunday, March 20. 

“‘Yun pong opisina ng pangalawang pangulo ay hindi ko po pagpapraktisan. Hindi po ako mangangapa. Ang karanasan ko po na tatlumpung taon sa public service ay sapat na,” Sotto said. 

(I won’t make the Office of hte Vice President my training ground. I will not be groping my way in the dark. My experience during my 30 years in public service is enough.)

The Senate President said that he knows the problems of the country as well as the plight of Filipinos living in poverty, and he knows how to solve them. 

“I am tired of making laws that are not implemented properly,” Sotto said.

He cited the Filipinos’ trust in him, and said he would not let them down. Various polls have shown over the years that Sotto has the highest trust and performance rating among top officials of the land next to President Rodrigo Duterte. 

That's a wRap! Subscribe to our Youtube channel for full replays, highlights, and behind-the-scenes coverage from our reporters. https://t.co/c2jaencigQ

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 20, 2022

Up to his closing statement, Pangilinan brings up advocacy for food security, years of experience as a senator. Says he is prepared even if he is needed to step up to the presidency in case of an emergency.

"Sa VP race, nawa'y the last man standing is a farmer." @rapplerdotcom

— Michelle Abad (@michelleabad_) March 20, 2022

Comelec chair Saidamen Pangarungan holds a press briefing shortly after the vice presidential debates held on Sunday, March 20.

Play Video