Business chambers eyeing forum with mayoralty bets

CEBU, Philippines - After the success of the recent presidential forum organized by the three major business chambers in Cebu, the three groups are now eyeing another forum with the mayoralty candidates for Metro Cebu.

The first presidential forum held last January 22 at the Cebu International Convention Center dubbed as “Choices and Voices for 2010, an encounter with the presidentiables,” was organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Business Club, and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

CBC President Gordon Alan Joseph said that they are now looking at the possibility of conducting a mayoralty forum with the candidates running for mayor in the Metro Cebu area.

He said that they will be talking to candidates and they would see what could be decided upon.

Joseph said that this is a good way for the business sector most especially to learn more about the plans of the candidates for the city if they would be elected and their platforms intended to help the different industries.

“We need to know why we need to vote for them,” Joseph said.

He said that so far, they have not heard of platforms from any of the candidates and they are looking forward in hearing how they would be able to help the growth of the city.

Joseph said that the private sector would like to hear how they could build stronger ties with the public sector for a collected effort to help the community.

According to Joseph, if the forum would push through, they would not be doing it the same with the presidential forum where they had all six candidates on stage.

Instead, he explained that they would be having a one-on-one style with the mayoralty candidates where questions and important concerns affecting Cebu could be properly addressed to.

However, if the forum would not push through, the three chambers are optimistic that the public would make a good choice, the same for the president and other positions in the government.

MCCI President Eric Ng Mendoza said that they will not be endorsing any candidate even after the forum but they are glad they will be able to help.

He said that even with or without the mayoralty forum, they know that the people are already wiser in terms of choosing who’s who to put in the position.