MANILA, Philippines - The Rotary Club of Downtown Manila (RCDM) has obtained the support of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for its plan to host a debate among prospective candidates for national positions in 2010.
Lawyer Alejandro Rodriguez Jr., RCDM president, said the Comelec has committed to provide “technical support” for the “First Open Forum on Public Service and Good Governance Issues” to be held on March 25 at the Fajardo Auditorium in the Bro. Andrew Gonzalez Hall of the De La Salle University (DLSU) Manila campus along Taft Avenue.
“We’re all set. The open forum will be the first debate where the public can learn about the views and stands on the different issues of prominent personalities known to have ambitions in 2010,” Rodriguez said.
He said four personalities –Senators Panfilo Lacson, Manuel Villar and Richard Gordon and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando —have been invited to be the speakers in the forum.
“There is a desire and need for the people, especially the electorate, to be informed and educated on the vital issues as well as the capabilities of our national leaders to confront and resolve with determination the nation’s problems,” Rodriguez stressed.
“The forum intends to elicit from the participants their commitment and insights on good governance and public service as well as the urgent national concerns that each of them will attempt to resolve as they take over the country’s leadership,” Rodriguez added.
Rodriguez also said that the March 25 debate would be followed by another one later this year, with another four or five prospective 2010 candidates.
It was learned that the RCDM intends to hold the debates in the different university campuses all over Metro Manila since they want to help the youth become informed voters.
“We want to encourage the youth to participate in the electoral process. And when they do participate, we want them to go into the voting booths well-informed about the candidates so they can vote for the person whom they believe has the best platform and vision,” Rodriguez said.