‘GMA can have best seat, but…’

She may have the best seat in the house, but not the last word.

President Arroyo got this concession to presidential protocol from her four rivals in the race for the presidency yesterday, as well as the option of being introduced whether first or last in the presidential debate.

Mrs. Arroyo, however, will not be given the opportunity to make the final statement in the debate unless she gets it by luck of the draw.

Representatives of the five presidential bets debated over seating arrangements and speaking sequences at the presidential debate sponsored by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), although it seems the event could wind up being a one-on-one between Alyansa ng Pag-asa’s Raul Roco and Bangon Pilipinas Movement (BPM)’s Eddie Villanueva.

The PPCRV ultimately ruled that the speaking sequence will be determined by the drawing of lots.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the debate was signed yesterday by all five presidential candidates or their representatives.

The debate was originally scheduled for April 13 and its mechanics and rules are specified in the MOU. However, it is now scheduled for airing by ABC television and Radio Mindanao Network on March 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The President was given the choice seat at the debate, as the four other presidential bets — Roco, Villanueva, Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) standard-bearer Fernando Poe Jr. — acceded to presidential protocol as detailed by Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye.

However, Bunye was rebuked when he also tried to get the other presidential aspirants to allow Mrs. Arroyo to be the last speaker in the debate’s summation segment.

Bunye again cited presidential protocol by saying "after the President speaks, nobody else speaks."

Roco’s representative, Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan, said the President may be trying to get the upper hand in the debate by using protocol.

"In any debate, there has to be fairness," Galvez-Tan said. "There is already a thin line between a governing president and a campaigning president. This (debate) is not an official function — (so) the President should be treated as a candidate."

According to Galvez-Tan, experience shows that the final speaker in a debate always leaves the most lasting impression on the audience.

Despite the signing of the MOU, however, the three most visible contenders for the presidency, Mrs. Arroyo, Poe and Lacson, may not attend the debate if one or the other is absent.

Poe, through his media bureau chief Rodolfo Reyes, indicated his reservations about participating in the debate.

Bunye earlier said that if Poe is not attending the debate, the President would not attend it, either.

Lacson, for his part, said he would absent himself if Mrs. Arroyo would not be there.

Isang Bansa Isang Diwa party presidential bet Eddie Gil was disqualified from the presidential race by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), prompting the PPCRV to distribute his allotted place and speaking sequence to the other candidates.

Should any candidates fail to show up at the debate, the PPCRV said it will leave the chairs allotted to these candidates vacant and onstage throughout the debate.

In a press statement, the PPCRV called on all the presidential candidates to join the debate, though the debate "will be held regardless of who does or does not participate, because it is being organized for the primary purpose of voter education, not for the benefit or convenience of presidential candidates."

"The refusal of any presidential candidate to join the debate, whatever the reason, can only be construed as selfish and self-serving, disregarding the proper and vital role of the debate in voter education and demonstrating a lack of respect for Filipino voters," the PPCRV said.

The debate is supposed to be a venue at which all the presidential candidates will reveal their programs on population, poverty and human development. It was organized by the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), Pulse Asia Inc., the Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA) and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

PLCPD executive director Roberto Ador said the debate will help educate the electorate on what the presidential candidates "genuinely offer our people in terms of meaningful programs aimed at uplifting the lives of our people."

"We can no longer afford to perpetuate and condone our culture and tradition by choosing candidates based on popularity alone," he said. "What we urgently need are quality leaders who recognized their moral and political obligations to their people."

Likhaan convenor Dr. Junice Melgar said the women’s sector wants a president who could address their concerns regarding the economy, basic social services and participatory governance, as well as provide genuine women’s empowerment, security and peace.

She added that the next president should give women the "full spectrum" of family planning services - both artificial and natural methods - to allow them to choose how they will plan their families.

Poe’s representative, Erik Espina, said the Poe camp has been consistent in its stand not to participate in any "divisive" presidential debate.

"We see that part of the problem of Philippine politics is that too many people (are) talking, (there is) too much debate going on," Espina said. "It’s not that we don’t (believe) in a debate, but it’s just that we believe (more) in having direct dialogue with the people."