EDITORIAL - Debate

It was just right for Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and Councilor Maryann Delos Santos to immediately accept the challenge for a political debate among the candidates for the two top positions at the City Hall.

For it only shows they are indeed ready to discuss whatever issues affecting the city and its inhabitants now that they are seeking the votes from the electorate in the May midterm elections.

Earlier, lawyer Regal Oliva, the president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter, has called on all mayoralty and vice mayoralty candidates to a debate on issues surrounding the city.  

In a Facebook post on Monday, Oliva said “As President of the IBP Cebu City Chapter, I am calling the attendance of the candidates for mayor and vice mayor of Cebu City to a debate. IBP will moderate.”

Osmeña and Labella, both running for mayor, readily agreed to the debate, which will be held on April 22 at the City Sports Club. But while Delos Santos confirmed her participation, her opponent for vice mayor, former mayor Michael Rama, has declined  to take on the challenge.

Of course, any debate should center on the candidates’ stand on employment, mass transportation, traffic and garbage. Those are  just some of the pressing issues affecting the city that the voters want to hear straight from the mouths of their candidates.

Debates are certainly a good venue for the electorate to know more about their candidates. Besides, such public discussion is also a tool for the voters to measure whether a candidate, through his views on issues, is really capable of the job he is aspiring for.