Metro Manila, Philippines – Nine out of ten presidential candidates discussed political system reforms, human rights and sources of renewable energy during the second presidential debate held by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday.
Vice President Leni Robredo and labor leader Leody De Guzman both proposed a law that would prevent turncoatism, or jumping from one political party to another, to strengthen the political system of the country.
On the other hand, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno strongly pushed for a shift to a two-party system, while former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales raised again his proposal to move to a parliamentary form of government.
The issue of lack of proper representation in the party-list system was also tackled.
However, lawyer and doctor Jose Montemayor, Jr. pushed to keep the system, saying he disagrees with removing the representation of sectors.
Moreno also said the system should stay but with added safeguards to ensure that the representatives are truly from the sector that the party-list aims to speak for.
Human rights
On the topic of human rights, candidates brought up the drug war and the reported extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under the Duterte regime.
Businessman Faisal Mangondato shared that EJKs are rampant in Mindanao where he is from.
Former presidential spokesperson Ernie Abella said addressing the drug problem means reducing the supply of and demand for illegal drugs. But he also mentioned that the drug war was well received by the public when he worked for the Duterte administration.
Sen. Manny Pacquiao said he will push for an investigation into EJKs but will continue the war on drugs without killing drug users, targetting instead drug traffickers.
Candidates also raised the dangers brought about by the Anti-Terrorism Act, but its co-author Sen. Ping Lacson defended the law, saying there are many safeguards in place to protect people’s rights.
Renewable energy
A new topic that’s rarely discussed in debates was also asked: renewable sources of energy.
De Guzman reiterated his proposal to phase out the use of coal plants due to its high carbon emissions.
Robredo mentioned liquefied natural gas as an alternative and the need to be carbon-neutral.
Meanwhile, Abella and Moreno also suggested innovations in the agriculture sector.
Former Senator Bongbong Marcos was again the only presidential candidate absent from the debate.
