Vice presidential candidate Willie Ong (PNA photo)
MANILA – Vice presidential candidate Willie Ong on Monday commended the recently concluded debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), saying he did not feel any bias.
Speaking via his Facebook channel, Ong said the overall vice presidential debate was good.
"Walang bias for candidates na mababa sa rating or survey. Pareho lang ng set up ng booth (There was no bias even among candidates who ranked low in surveys. The set up for each candidate's booth is the same)," he said.
Each candidate, whether present or not, was provided with a booth good for eight to 10 people, Ong said.
"Upon entering the venue, (I noticed that) it was organized, and there was security. The media were also well-behaved," he said.
Ong noted that questions were fair, and that all the candidates were well taken care of.
"Guidelines (given) were fair. I did not feel any bias. The hosts were also okay and were able to control the attendees," he said.
As for things that could be improved in future debates, the Aksyon Demokratiko candidate suggested that vice presidential bets be given the same number of interviews and debates as with the presidential bets.
"A vice president is not a spare tire. That position is also important, so why not make the same number of debates and interviews?," he said while noting that presidential candidates seem to have more exposure.
Ong, meanwhile, said it could have been better if the Comelec debate was held at an earlier time, instead of 7:30 pm to 9:30 p.m. Camera orientation and the provision of bigger note pads are also things he hopes to be improved.
He congratulated the Comelec, saying the debate was orderly both for the participants and the audience.
During the debate, Ong, a cardiologist, noted the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Asian countries, adding that the surge is highly likely to reach the Philippines, maybe by May or June.
"The BA.2 variant spreads fast. We can do several things, like putting up an infectious disease hospital where pandemic cases would be treated. There are medicines for Covid-19, the generic Paxlovid. This is life-saving. Free testing is also very important," Ong pointed out.
He also proposed that support for health workers and focus on mental health must also be prioritized.
Speaking via his Facebook channel, Ong said the overall vice presidential debate was good.
"Walang bias for candidates na mababa sa rating or survey. Pareho lang ng set up ng booth (There was no bias even among candidates who ranked low in surveys. The set up for each candidate's booth is the same)," he said.
Each candidate, whether present or not, was provided with a booth good for eight to 10 people, Ong said.
"Upon entering the venue, (I noticed that) it was organized, and there was security. The media were also well-behaved," he said.
Ong noted that questions were fair, and that all the candidates were well taken care of.
"Guidelines (given) were fair. I did not feel any bias. The hosts were also okay and were able to control the attendees," he said.
As for things that could be improved in future debates, the Aksyon Demokratiko candidate suggested that vice presidential bets be given the same number of interviews and debates as with the presidential bets.
"A vice president is not a spare tire. That position is also important, so why not make the same number of debates and interviews?," he said while noting that presidential candidates seem to have more exposure.
Ong, meanwhile, said it could have been better if the Comelec debate was held at an earlier time, instead of 7:30 pm to 9:30 p.m. Camera orientation and the provision of bigger note pads are also things he hopes to be improved.
He congratulated the Comelec, saying the debate was orderly both for the participants and the audience.
During the debate, Ong, a cardiologist, noted the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Asian countries, adding that the surge is highly likely to reach the Philippines, maybe by May or June.
"The BA.2 variant spreads fast. We can do several things, like putting up an infectious disease hospital where pandemic cases would be treated. There are medicines for Covid-19, the generic Paxlovid. This is life-saving. Free testing is also very important," Ong pointed out.
He also proposed that support for health workers and focus on mental health must also be prioritized.
Extraordinarily well
Comelec commissioner George Garcia commended the candidates for participating in the initial staging of the “PiliPinas Debates 2022.”
“The candidates performed extraordinarily well. The production is well beyond expectation and the people behind these events are admirably talented,” Garcia said in a Viber message on Monday. “Working as one brings forth the best in everyone.”
He said the Comelec is ready to accept recommendations from the public to further improve the next episodes of the debates.
“However, we are open for more improvements with the help of everyone,” he said.
The presidential aspirants who attended on Saturday include Ernesto Abella, Leody de Guzman, Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Norberto Gonzales, Panfilo Lacson, Faisal Mangondato, Emmanuel Pacquiao, and Leni Robredo.
Aside from Ong, vice presidential candidates Walden Bello, Manny SD Lopez, Kiko Pangilinan, Carlos Serapio and Tito Sotto also joined the vice presidential debates on Sunday.
Lito Atienza failed to attend the debate due to medical reasons.
UniTeam presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and running mate Sara Duterte did not participate in the debates. (with reports from Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
Comelec commissioner George Garcia commended the candidates for participating in the initial staging of the “PiliPinas Debates 2022.”
“The candidates performed extraordinarily well. The production is well beyond expectation and the people behind these events are admirably talented,” Garcia said in a Viber message on Monday. “Working as one brings forth the best in everyone.”
He said the Comelec is ready to accept recommendations from the public to further improve the next episodes of the debates.
“However, we are open for more improvements with the help of everyone,” he said.
The presidential aspirants who attended on Saturday include Ernesto Abella, Leody de Guzman, Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Norberto Gonzales, Panfilo Lacson, Faisal Mangondato, Emmanuel Pacquiao, and Leni Robredo.
Aside from Ong, vice presidential candidates Walden Bello, Manny SD Lopez, Kiko Pangilinan, Carlos Serapio and Tito Sotto also joined the vice presidential debates on Sunday.
Lito Atienza failed to attend the debate due to medical reasons.
UniTeam presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and running mate Sara Duterte did not participate in the debates. (with reports from Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
