The KBP Presidential Forum: Pooling resources for a better informed electorate

THE KAPISANAN ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Presidential Forum is the first of its kind, a joint effort by news organizations to provide a venue for candidates to prove why they deserve to run the country.

The format abandoned the usual approach with only one-host, one guest or one moderator for a debate. A welcome change allowed the audience to see journalists from different organizations fielding questions and working together for a worthy purpose.

The participation of KBP members departed from the usual Manila-centric news agenda, engaging the members of the press from outside the metropolitan bubble, bringing to national attention local and regional problems. Engaging radio anchors also meant a wider reach for the program.

Aired in over 300 member stations and streamed online, the three-hour live program featured five candidates: Leody de Guzman, Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Manny Pacquiao and “Leni” Robredo. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. declined KBP’s invitation, claiming a conflict of schedule.

CMFR notes the highlights of the program, format-wise and content-wise, as well as areas for improvement.

Clearly, candidates came prepared and performed competently. The responses showed some thought and practice, unlike the incoherence and woodenness of so many officials who have dominated the media scene during the term of Duterte.

Some of the insights shared by the candidates reflected attempts to address such problems raised by pandemic as the inadequacies of the healthcare and educational systems, and the need for livelihood and economic assistance. The format of getting as many candidates as possible in one program rather than interviewing one at a time could help the voter evaluate them more easily by comparing their programs of government with each other.

De Guzman, who was not invited to the presidential interviews by Jessica Soho, provided a fresh perspective; presenting issues which were not mentioned by others, such as the need for an independent foreign policy, human rights in general, and wealth inequality. De Guzman called for imposing a 20 percent wealth tax on the 500 richest families to support healthcare workers, fisherfolk, and other members of the less fortunate classes. Asked how he plans to secure the approval of Congress for such a measure, De Guzman said he could resort to a people’s initiative, should Congress reject the idea.

The panel did not fail to ask questions on the accountability and transparency measures that candidates want to implement. A proposal that only he raised, Pacquiao said the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) should be strengthened, although he did not specify how. Meanwhile, Robredo said the issue of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) is far from over, as some officials involved in this scandal have run or are currently running for elective positions.

Regional issues raised

The participation of province-based journalists in the town hall segment gave the public a chance to hear about regional and local issues such as online sabong (cockfighting) in Central Luzon, reclamations in Visayas provinces like Negros Oriental and Aklan, underdeveloped healthcare facilities in island provinces, and the proposed Mindanao railway project.

Notably, De Guzman, Moreno, Pacquiao, and Robredo said they were against the Boracay Island Development Authority bill, stressing the importance of local consultations and local empowerment. As for the Mindanao railway project, all five candidates were in favor of seeing it through.

On the issue of healthcare, only Lacson raised the need to fully implement and sufficiently fund the Universal Healthcare Act. The others focused on building more tertiary hospitals, district hospitals and strengthening barangay-level interventions.

Weakest answers

The panelists asked candidates to expand on answers given during the earlier forum with GMA’s Jessica Soho. Lacson was asked about his evading arrest in his involvement in the Dacer-Corbito case, while Moreno was asked about pocketing excess campaign funds. They merely repeated their answers to Soho, maintaining they both acted according to what the law dictated. Moreno said he paid the required taxes, while Lacson claimed he only followed the advice of his lawyer.

Unasked questions, downsides of format

Surprisingly, there was no question raised on the specific plans of the candidates to address the pandemic. Candidates did mention plans on healthcare, but no one asked about the first thing they would do about COVID-19 once they assume the presidency. Some other issues only briefly touched upon or were referred to were national sovereignty, human rights and the rule of law.

The all-male panel showed up the lack of gender-awareness of the organizers: The discussion of issues concerning women, LGBTQ+, and children’s issues were not heard.

As in all legacy news formats, there were limitations of time. The use of one-minute timers meant some candidates had to be cut off before they got to complete their answers. The timers were not stopped even for panelists following up on their questions, thus eating up time meant for the candidates. It would have been interesting to hear Robredo’s answer to the follow-up that while she is advocating transparency, her party failed to pass freedom of information measures. But she ran out of time.

Despite some issues, CMFR welcomes the inclusivity and good practices showcased in the KBP forum. Media should engage one another during the election season in collective efforts. It spreads the good stuff and does not belabor the existing weaknesses of enough members of the press. Succeeding interviews and forums should review the accomplishment and see how much more they can do to help citizens do a better job as voters.