EDITORIAL - Rama-Osmeña debate a useless exercise

Tomas Osmeña has challenged Mayor Michael Rama to a public debate. Apparently caught off guard, Rama hemmed and hawed when informed of the challenge but could give no categorical answer on whether or not he is accepting the dare. It may look as if Rama developed cold feet. In the end, however, it is to Rama's advantage that no debate happens between him and the former mayor.

Debates are what they are – a contest on speaking ability. Some reasoning is naturally involved but the best reasoning means nothing if articulated poorly. A great speaker will appear superior by sheer bombast while the superior thinker achieves little if he trips on his own words as he speaks. In other words, a debate is not an accurate means to determine better leadership, which is really what the question is before Cebuanos.

Rama may or may not choose to accept the Osmeña challenge to a debate. Osmeña has thrown the gauntlet. The ball is in Rama's court. But let it be said to both, and to all Cebuanos as well, that Rama and Osmeña can debate all they want until they both drop to their knees gasping for breath, and the question as to who is the better leader will still remain unanswered.

For no honest answer can be expected from either. Both will try to project themselves in the best of light, make embellishments here and there until nobody is able to recognize the finished product. Both will also try to demolish each other beyond recognition, to the point that Cebuanos may be tempted to ask if one or the other is still worth voting for.

Actually, there is no need for a debate. Cebuanos need not be told what they already know. Indeed, by this time, the Cebuanos – or at least the real thinking ones – have already made up their minds. After all, the question before them is really very simple: Do you want Rama to stay as mayor or do you want to return Osmeña to City Hall?

With the thinking Cebuanos having already made up their minds on who to vote for – Rama or Osmeña – the only thing that remains now is for the trappings of politics to kick in, such as the money, the food, the entertainment, the wheeling and dealing or, in other words, the whole fiesta carnival shebang to win over those who have also made up their minds to fence-sit and wait for the opportunity to change their minds.

So you see, there is really no need for a debate, especially when the question confronting Cebuanos is quite simple. Nobody needs to be won over anymore by great speeches. Those who have already made their choices are not like to change their minds on account of who might be the better speaker. As to those who are waiting for something, clearly "talking-talking" is not what they have in mind.