A presidential debate before the elections

The Commission on Election (COMELEC)’s plan to hold a presidential debate for the 2016 presidential candidates is a wise decision and should be backed by everyone — especially us, the voting public. A debate will serve as a perfect venue for us to get to know the candidates better and see how they stack up side-by-side against the most important issues facing our country today.

Malacañang has already backed the COMELEC plan to hold the debate claiming that the voters need to get to know the candidates and the issues that are most important to them. Malacanang further said that through pushing for this debate, COMELEC was doing its job to provide transparency and effective participation to make the upcoming elections both credible and fair.

Personally, I think a presidential debate is not only important but also necessary. As a voter I would like to see all my available choices together on one stage answering questions side by side. It’s a far more real platform then getting to know them through their campaigns, which are all polished, media-ready, and well thought out days and even months in advance. I think a debate is more real and requires candidates to think on their toes. Through this venue we’ll truly see how they act under pressure, their grace under fire, and which issues are truly of the utmost importance to them.

Plus, it gives them a venue in which to ask questions of one another. As the days go by, candidates will slowly begin to make promises and challenge their opponents. However, this does not usually happen face to face. Claims will be made and all manner of research and studies will be released, but for the most part voters will not be able to interpret all the smoke and mirrors. It’s important that there is one venue for healthy and regulated interaction amongst all the presidential candidates that voters can watch to truly get a gauge of what each one is about and what is important to them.

I believe that today, the bulk of the voting population is young. Elections will not be won the same way that they used to. The young voters could easily sway the outcome and with social media becoming a very valuable tool for information dissemination, candidates will need to be more forthcoming and transparent with their platforms. A few mistimed remarks could lead to a candidate’s untimely demise.

Take for instance the very odd case of Donald Trump in the United States. For many years, the applauded businessman seemed almost the ultimate icon of business savvy. He had diverse investments, he ran several successful businesses, and he even had his own television show where people battled it out to work for him and his company, not to mention handling the Miss Universe pageant.

Fast forward to today though and the once revered mogul has practically turned into a joke. As the elections approach in the United States, Trump thought he could win the presidency in a snap with his vast wealth (he was among 150 list of richest people), his well-known name, and his business background. Many, in fact, said he was a lock for the Republican Party. However, after a few ridiculous and racist remarks about immigrants and “fat and ugly women,” Trump finds himself the butt of jokes worldwide and sliding further and further down the presidential pole. After all, who wants a racist and most likely insane person as the leader of the free world?

I think there is a plus on presidential candidates coming out as early as now. While it does mean longer politicking, it also gives everyone a little more time to get to know our choices before the elections in 2016. Let’s all use this time wisely so we can make the right choice when it counts.

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The decision in Congress to increase SSS for retirees by P2,000 across the board should be applauded. Many retirees, once out of the office, have no other source of income and look forward to their pension to help with their daily expenses. As is, the amount is too low to really provide for even the most basic needs retirees require. This is doubly true if the retirees face difficult health problems, which most do.

It’s hard enough as is to be among the elderly in a country that won’t allow employment opportunities and healthcare coverage past a certain age, but to have such a low pension to rely on only makes it that much more difficult. I believe that increasing the pension is the right move and is a just reward for over 10 to 20 years of service to the nation. This will help seniors to truly enjoy the golden years of their lives as opposed to living in fear about how they will be able to support themselves.

I think this is a great move in helping care for the senior population in the country. The additional senior citizen discount at certain establishments helps as well and programs such as free movies for seniors in certain cities is definitely a bonus, but these should also be followed up with solid programs on bettering our elderly’s welfare. I think the changes to PhilHealth coverage are another good move and we should just keep the ball rolling.

After all, in other countries, seniors are still allowed to work as long as they are able and only retire when they feel they are ready. Plus, there is no age limit when you apply for a job. The most qualified candidate will get it, and that is not necessarily the youngest straight out of college. I know that it’s wishful thinking to think that the same can be applied in our country, but here’s hoping. I’ve seen that the Skyway offers a senior program and on some days, their tollbooth operators are senior citizens.

I think it’s wonderful that they are giving these individuals a chance to work if they want to. I realize that the forced retirement age in the country is supposed to be to allow our hard workers time to rest after years of dedicated service, however, it’s hardly rest when you are worrying about your income and how you are going to support yourself and your basic needs. Here’s hoping the increase in pension passes and is implemented and that it’s just another step in continuing to improve the status of our senior citizens.