Gordon proposes more public debates for senatorial candidates

UNA Senatorial candidate and Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard J. Gordon called on the Commission on Elections to organize public debates that will be participated in by all senatorial candidates if the poll body is really serious in wanting to level the playing field for all candidates.

Gordon pointed out the public debates would be a more effective avenue for the electorate to really get to know the candidates and enable them to choose candidates intelligently, adding that such debates would also make expensive radio and TV ads unnecessary.

"These public debates which will provide equal opportunity for all political parties and candidates to present their platforms and engage in intelligent debates in the presence of the public. This is the more effective way of educating our electorate, instead of just exposing them to self-serving political advertisements in print and on television or any other media. Public debates are the best way for candidates to show their depth and understanding of issues so that the public can best gauge their capabilities without embellishments, which is otherwise the function of advertising," the senatorial candidate said.

"Instead of just focusing on limiting the exposure of candidates in the tri-media, the Comelec should take the initiative of providing the electorate the widest opportunity to assess the candidates," he added as he proposed the novel suggestion on how to conduct and honest to goodness fair electoral campaign.

Gordon, father of election modernization in the country and author of Republic Act 9369 or the amended Automated Elections System Law, said the Comelec can manage and regulate these public debates and make use of the Comelec hour to mandate radio and television networks to cover the debates.

He added such debates may be aired and replayed free of charge or paid for by the poll body; or it could get private sponsors to bankroll such debates.

The former lawmaker also called on the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and the National Movement for Free Elections to take part in organizing the proposed endeavor.

"If the Comelec is really serious in leveling the playing field, it should take this extra mile to educate voters and enable them to make a wise choice come election day. If this is done, then we can do away with television and radio advertising, which is way too expensive," he stressed. (PNA)