BJPHOTOGRAPHY: February 2016

Were you satisfied on the First Presidential debate #PILIPINASDEBATE2016? I am not! I am not! I am not! I had high hopes that the first presidential debate would start with a bang. Yet, I was disappointed in many aspects. Let us start with technicalities. I am not satisfied with one of the facilitators. He kept on interfering during the limited time of the candidates to talk. It is as if he was not familiar with the rules of debate. This is a result of not allowing better media practitioners to be involved in this debate. The comelec should have included other respected and recognized media like rappler. No offense to Host network. They have good reporters and both facilitators are award-winning reporters. Maybe that facilitator is not on top form to become debate facilitator. Watch this part and analyzed the flow yourself.

I am dissatisfied with the limited time of the debate. It is true that there are many types of debate. Yet, there are other types of debate that allow more time for the candidates to discuss and give their answers just like the rules and regulations of the US presidential debate. Maybe some will say, "here we go again with copying US." Just stating the facts where we could perform better. Have you watch the supposed debate facilitated by rappler in La Salle University? I admire their organization for a good flow even though only one presidential candidate attended the debate. The questions that they tackled were right on target and the facilitator was better. Here it is:

It is more fitting if there is no commercial break for a smooth sailing debate. It was a two-hours debate yet 48 minutes were allocated for advertisements. As candidate Miriam defensor said that the debate is not an entertainment nor a show but an event to showcase the candidates. Having 48 minutes of commercial was is good for the event? You decide but I know it was a good business for the network! However, if they have already decided on that matter at least, I want to encourage the comelec to actually ban any political ads during the commercial break to be fair with the event itself.

I believe it is better on the next debate that all candidates should give their stand on the issue presented before having rest intervals.

I am not satisfied with the rebuttals of some candidates. Rebuttal is for cross-examination of the answer of the other candidate and not giving your own answer for the question. They have failed to light fire in the first debate. They were more concerned on their own exposures rather than bringing the co-candidates in the hot seat.

I know there are many more observations that you can enumerate. This is just the start but let us hope for a better way for people to hear the platform of the candidates.

The question is who won the first election? Hats of to Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Rodrigo Duterte. I will give the first debate to Duterte. Most of the Netizens believe that Duterte won the first debate. Not only a round but all of the three rounds, they think Duterte won.

There was an instance where Miriam praised Duterte's achievement on anti graft and corruption. Watch if you missed it: