Analyst: Poe, Duterte 'flourished' in 2nd presidential debates
ABS-CBN News
MANILA - Political analyst Professor Prospero ''Popoy'' de Vera believed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Grace Poe stood out in the second leg of the PiliPinas presidential debates on Sunday.
Speaking to DZMM, De Vera, who was at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) in Cebu to witness the event, said he was disappointed that some of the more important issues were not discussed.
"May mga isyu na mahalaga na hindi napag-usapan tulad ng edukasyon at saka kalusugan kasi napunta, siguro mga 80 porsyento ng usapan, napunta sa graft and corruption. Kaya hindi na umabot doon sa education at health, na para sa amin ay kung hindi man kasinghalaga ng isyu ng graft and corruption, ay mas mahalaga pa para sa maraming tao ano," he said.
He also noted that the candidates ended up taking a swipe at each other instead of discussing issues.
"Ikalawa, matindi 'yung patutsadahan nung mga kandidato kaya hindi lumalalim 'yung usapan. Kasi nagsisimula 'yung, para silang Republican debates eh, they call each other names, kung ano anong ibinibintang sa isa't isa, tuloy hindi napagdebatehan talaga 'yung issue," De Vera added.
For De Vera, the debate somehow lacked depth because of bickering and name-calling among the candidates.
"Naiiba ang usapan, walang depth o walang lalim 'yung kanilang debate. Hindi na umabot sa malalimang usapan kaya nakakalusot 'yung mga kandidato sa kanilang sinasabi," he said.
"Halimbawa, tinanong si Mayor Duterte kung paano niya masosolusyunan ang katiwalian sa anim na buwan. Sabi lang niya, eh basta gagawin ko. O tapos na. Hindi ngayon malaman kung 'yun bang claim mong 'yan, talaga bang kayang mangyari o 'yan ay haka haka o panaginip mo lang. Hindi umaabot doon dahil nagpapatutsadahan 'yung mga kandidato," De Vera added.
Despite the lack of deep discussion of issues, De Vera said the debate showed the true character of some of the candidates.
"Ang nakita lang natin, may mga kandidato na matapang pala, tulad ni Grace Poe. Ipinakita niyang talagang kakasa pala siya, talagang very feisty siya kagabi. Parang kakaiba doon sa pagkakakilala natin sa kanya," he said.
"Obviously si Vice President Binay eh nahirapan dahil ang gusto niya atang gawin ay ipakita 'yung mga dokumento, eh hindi siya pinayagan. 'Yung kanyang strategy, hindi niya naimplement," De Vera added.
Poe, Duterte made for debate
According to De Vera, the debate proved that Duterte and Poe are good speakers, while Mar Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay are not suited for this kind of format.
"Ang malinaw, mayroong dalawang kandidato na ang kanilang debate ay ayon sa kanilang galing. Ibig sabihin, they were made for debate. Itong si Grace Poe at Duterte, talagang they flourished pagka may debate."
Si Grace Poe dahil magaling siyang magsalita sa Filipino, meron siyang facts and figures, saka ipinakita niya na matapang siya. Si Duterte kasi, magaganda 'yung mga one-liner niya, madaling maintindihan ng tao," he also said.
De Vera also said that Binay and Roxas are more suited in a forum, where they can discuss their plans thoroughly.
"'Yung dalawa, si Vice President Binay saka si Mar Roxas, obviously 'yung format ng debate, hindi para sa kanila. Siguro mas maa-appreciate ng mga botante sila kung isang forum na ipapaliwanag nila nang matagal 'yung mga gusto nilang gawin kasi sila'y mahabang magsalita saka matagal magpaliwanag. Hindi sila designed for debate, 'yung dalawa,' he explained.
Will the candidates' performance in debate affect their ratings? For De Vera, the effects of the recently-concluded debate will surely show on the next survey results.
"Meron, kasi 'yung susunod na survey, dalawa yung pangyayaring maka-capture niya. 'Yung isa, 'yung decision ng Supreme Court, 'yung isa, itong second presidential debate. Ito'y gagawin, ngayon na gagawin 'yan hanggang end of the month, lalabas 'yung resulta niyan sa first week of April, yaan eh mahuhuli na niyan 'yung sentimiyento ng tao," he said.