CAGAYAN DE ORO — Five presidential aspirants faced each other on Sunday as the Commission on Elections kicked off its first ever presidential debates in over two decades.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Grace Poe, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago attended the first of three presidential debates at Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro.
The debate focused on the track record and performances of the candidates, as well as resolving poverty and various issues in the Mindanao region.
Each candidate was given 60 seconds to deliver an opening statement prior to the actual debates.
Binay: Mar's enforcement was weak
Binay criticized Roxas' strategy in resolving the issue of illegal drugs during his term as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Roxas boasted that he went after drug cartels when he was Interior secretary, stressing that P20 billion worth of drugs were seized during raids in his term.
The vice president, however, claimed that Roxas' enforcement strategy was "weak."
"Nalalaman ng mga illegal drug syndicates ano ang ginawa? Wala masyado nahabla... Wala naman nangyayari. Hindi ho decisive and leadership," Binay said.
Binay then took pride of himself, pointing out that he is a decisive leader and cited his accomplishments when he was the mayor of Makati.
The vice president also denied rumors that he has numerous properties. He said that most of his properties were inherited.
Binay highlighted his advocacies, which are good governance and compassion for the poor, during his closing statement.
Duterte: I will continue to kill criminals
The Davao City mayor clarified that there were no extrajudicial killings in his city as all of the killings were in accordance to the rule of law.
Duterte admitted that he ordered the killings of criminals in his city, particularly drug dealers. He vowed to continue killing criminals if he wins the presidency.
"If I become president, it would be bloody because we'll order the killing of all criminals, ang mga durugista at drug lords," Duterte said.
Duterte promised that he will solve the country's problems in criminality, drugs and corruption within three to six months.
Poe admits lack of experience
Poe, who topped the senatorial race in 2013, admitted that she lacks experience in government but argued that it is not a factor of being a good leader.
"Wala pong proof na pag mas matagal ka na sa pwesto mas magaling ka," Poe said in response to Roxas who stressed in her lack of experience.
Roxas, who earlier asked Poe to be his running mate, said that experience is the most important quality of a leader seeking for the presidency.
"Alam ko naman po kung binobola ako o hindi kahit na maikli ang aking panunungkulan sa gobyerno. Tama si Secretary Mar, nakatatlong administrasyon na siya dyan," the senator said.
Poe dedicated her final statement to Mindanao and discussed energy problems, budget allocation and fighting corruption. She vowed to allocate 30 percent of the national budget to Mindanao if she wins the presidential race.
Roxas hits rivals prior to debate proper
The debate proper hasn't even started yet but the administration bet has already indirectly criticized his four rivals in his opening statement.
"Kanino natin ipagkakatiwala? Sa taong may kaso, sa taong mainitin ang ulo, sa taong ngayon pa lang natututo magmaneho, o sa taong ni minsan hindi kayo ipinahamak? Buo ang loob ko sa inyong pagpasya," Roxas said.
In his closing statement, Roxas admitted his privileged background but stressed his intent to become president as he wants every Filipino to be as fortunate as him.
Miriam: My guardian angel did not kill me
Santiago was agitated when she was asked a question about her health and her capacity to govern the country despite her illness.
The senator stressed that it is allowed under law and that it is her right to run for president despite her health condition. Santiago was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer a few years ago but she recently announced that she has recovered.
"Hindi ako namatay dahil hindi ako pinatay ng guardian angel ko," Santiago said.
The next round of the presidential debates is scheduled on March 20 in Cebu while the final round will be held in Pangasinan on April 24.