"Last men standing.”
This was how Davao City Mayor
Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano
were described by the host of an election forum organized by Rappler held at
the De La Salle University’s (DLSU) Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium on Wednesday.
It was reported that Duterte and
Cayetano were the only candidates who attended the forum. Sources said that
after confirming their attendance to the forum, all of the tandems vying for
the May presidential polls backed out of the event.
“Maraming nadismaya at hindi
dumalo ang iba pang tambalan sa forum na ito. Their absence to this first
presidential and vice presidential forum is quite bothering," Cayetano
said.
Nonetheless, the duo presented
their platform, which they said is a comprehensive and bold response to the chaos
in the country. They pointed to the worsening traffic problem, rising crime and
illegal drug trafficking, lack of job opportunities and social injustice that
need to be addressed. Duterte and Cayetano said the only way to effect real
change is to end the country's chaos swiftly and decisively.
“There is so much disorder.
People don't have security. Sobra na ang gulo at pahirap na dinadanas ng tao.
Sino ba naman ang hindi mapapamura kung pag-gising mo pa lamang sa umaga
hanggang sa pagtulog mo sa gabi, walang tigil ang pahirap at gulo sa ating
bayan,” Duterte said.
“This is the reason why I am
angry. This is the reason behind my constant cursing. Behind my curses is the
tragedy and suffering of the Filipino people,” Duterte said.
Cayetano said he and Duterte have
the experience and principles necessary to fight injustices committed by those
benefiting from the country’s chaotic state of affairs.
The senator highlighted the need
to fight crime and corruption in the police force through harsh penalties for
the corrupt and increasing salaries for honest police officers, removing
excuses for corruption and helping to attract the best and brightest to the
Philippine National Police (PNP).
Cayetano also underscored the
need for the country to transition to federalism to democratically decentralize
governance and resources, and attain lasting peace. He specifically mentioned
the need to spread development by infusing the regions with the necessary funds
for development.
"Hindi na pwede ang pwede
na. Hindi na pwede ang konting pagbabago. At lalong hindi na pwede na
magpatuloy ang ligaya ng mga nang-aabuso. Ang kailangan ay matapang na solusyon
at mabilis na aksyon para tapusin ang gulo. This is what Mayor Duterte and I
will bring,” Cayetano stressed.
