Here is the point of consensus among presidential candidates.
All candidates for the country’s top post except Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. participated in the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) first presidential debate for the 2022 Philippine elections.
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The nine participants included Ernesto Abella, Norberto Gonzales, Leody de Guzman, Senator Ping Lacson, Faisal Mangondato, Jose Montemayor Jr., Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Senator Manny Pacquiao, and Vice President Leni Robredo.
The Comelec debate held at Pasay’s Sofitel spanned two-and-a-half hours. It covered issues like the pandemic, economy, and global affairs, among other topics relevant to Filipino voters.
Here’s where the presidential candidates agreed in terms of policy response to different issues.
Commensurate pay
Moderators asked the candidates about their stance on proposals to transition to a four-day workweek for the benefit of employees but which have received opposition from employers.
The candidates generally agreed that changing to a four-day workweek should mean a corresponding increase in the wages of employees.
“I think we’re all in agreement that people should not be shortchanged. That even if they…you know, for example, they should be given commensurate pay… they should be given commensurate pay even if they are asked to, you know, to have lesser workdays. In other words, increase their overtime pay,” Abella said.
If this entails working additional hours, De Guzman said that workers should be properly compensated with overtime pay.
Lacson agreed with De Guzman and said that the Labor Code must be amended in relation to the concern.
Robredo likewise agreed with De Guzman that working hours should be commensurate with take-home pay and with Pacquiao that all sectors alike should have a say.
Addressing fake news
Moderators asked candidates about their proposed regulations, if any, to control the fake news syndrome locally and globally.
Candidates agreed that more than just enacting new laws, the source of disinformation should be located.
“There are already laws existing. It has to be applicable to everyone. And that includes the source of this application. We should… we need to pursue these and hold them accountable for their compliance in allowing fake accounts on their application,” Moreno said.
Robredo supported Moreno: “We need to find the source. For example, two firms have already conducted studies saying that I’m the number-one target of disinformation while the number-one beneficiary is Marcos. It’s necessary that social media platforms should be made accountable since they are housing this disinformation.”
Pacquiao similarly pointed to social media as the culprit for fake news, suggesting that the government regulate such platforms to prevent lives from being ruined.
COVID-19 response
Moderators also asked candidates about the country’s preparedness for a surge in COVID-19 cases like what other countries are experiencing.
The candidates generally agreed about revamping and reinforcing the country’s healthcare system in preparation for a future surge.
“It’s not farfetched that another surge would enter the country. We should have learned from the lessons we gained in the past two years and the lessons that our country experienced,” Robredo said.
She suggested improving the vaccination rate, rolling out of the Universal Health Care program, and maintaining hospital capacity and healthcare personnel.
Gonzales agreed with Robredo: “Our vaccination, we need to review the process… Vaccination is important. We need to fix the coverage as much as possible.”
Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash
