ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The forum for the mayoralty candidates set Tuesday here by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in partnership with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was canceled as only one aspirant showed up at the venue.
First District Representative Celso Lobregat arrived at the forum venue at a local hotel, but two of his opponents who reportedly confirmed attendance failed to show up.
In a media advisory, PIA said that Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, who is seeking re-election, and Police Brig. Gen. (ret.) Sukarno Ikbala, had earlier confirmed attendance at the forum.
PIA said organizers decided to cancel the forum because Salazar and Ikbala did not appear despite being given an hour to show up.
“Disappointed. Sayang, (what a waste) this would have been an opportunity for us to give the widest information that we could give the voting public of Zamboanga,” said PIA-Region 9 Director Noemi Edaga.
Edaga said Salazar informed them earlier Tuesday that she will arrive late due to a meeting. Later on, Edaga said Salazar informed them that she could no longer attend the forum due to pressing matters.
Edaga said the forum, which was scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., would have enabled the candidates to present their plans and platforms of governance.
In an interview, Salazar said she was about to attend the forum and had her notes ready when pressing matters came up.
Lobregat, however, said: “If a candidate cannot follow simple rules, how can you expect them to carry out a campaign following Comelec rules? If elected, how can you expect them to govern following the laws of the land?” (PNA)
Organizers cancel bets' forum after only 1 aspirant shows up
By R. G. Antonet Go
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