A historic first – the political debate

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. yesterday raised the level of the coming political contest between him and Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez into the level of a discussion of issues from the level of the “bara bara” of political campaigns into one of a reasoned discussion of platforms and programs.

This could be a historic first, something which Negrenses should welcome and push for it, especially the professional class, the educated and the students.

In short, that will elevate politics into something novel – a reasoned examination of the vision of each of the candidate regarding the past and the future that concerns every resident of the province.

In the past, partisan politics was a dirty game. One party after the other simply threw trash at one another. The worse, the better. And it did not educate the public on what the candidates intend to do to improve the lives of residents.

For once, Marañon, by seeking a debate between him and Alvarez, virtually raises the contest into one in which the two candidates can meaningfully discuss with the public their plans and programs.

Alvarez, I am sure, will be more than willing to accept the challenge. It will rescue him, his son, and his daughter, Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, from having to tackle the assassination of former Kabankalan RTC Judge Henry Arles.

Actually, I think that it is a gentlemanly gesture on the part of Marañon to shield his former partner from a scurrilous debate on the issues about the Arles killing.

In the United States and developed societies, this public debate has been raised to the level of a must thing. It helps educate the electorate into voting for whoever they think is best fitted to address their aspirations and ambitions.

Both Alvarez and Marañon are veterans of the House of representatives where debates are part of the lore.

Alvarez, however, seems to try to avoid that debate. He claims that the issue which Marañon had picked on, such as the loans for the provincial government, is better discussed within the bounds of the Provincial Board.

But, perhaps, this is one time when the provincial board members are heard espousing their respective positions vis-à-vis the loans which Marañon had asked the board to approve.

For too long, residents simply left it to the board members to thresh out their respective positions without due regard for what the public thinks of their ideas or objections.

In short, they will also educate the public on how each of them thinks and reasons things out in tackling a proposed measure subjected to their approval or rejection.

If Alvarez claims that the SP decision is above and beyond politics, this is the best means by which he can clarify to the Negros public the reasons why he and the board members object to the loan package which the governor had asked the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to approve.

In short, that clarifies the entire matter for the population. After all, they are the ones whose money is being appropriated for the loan applied for.

Congressmen are more aware of the need for public consultations. They usually hold such meetings with as broad a constituency as they can from time to time.

This time, for the first time, the two candidates for governor will be given the time and the chance to publicly discuss plans and programs as well as the rational of their decision and policies.

If DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo were alive today, he would be the first to welcome such a move, and encourage it to be taken up by local candidates. That, in the first place, will definitely revolutionize politics to the level of a reason analysis and discussion plans and programs instead of the just unlimited use of charges and countercharges, often invented by politicos and their allies against each other just to gain pogi points. But they don’t add up to an enlightened citizenry.

I hope that every citizen and every well-meaning Negrense – will encourage such a debate suggested by Marañon, and seemingly welcomed by Alvarez.

Definitely, it will transform the election into a reasoned discussion of the do’s and don’ts of what ideas politicians may want or propose to the people.

Go on with that debate, gentlemen.*

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