For the first time in this year’s elections, all presidential aspirants will participate in the same series of broadcast interviews.
Go Negosyo's “Kandidatalks: Negosyo, Trabaho at Kalusugan” series, which will begin this Monday, March 21, has rounded up all ten candidates for the country's highest post.
In a statement, Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said he was heartened to see that all of the candidates for president have decided to participate in Kandidatalks.
"It is a rare achievement and tells us how important it is for the country’s next leader to prioritize the welfare of the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs),” he said.
"Through Kandidatalks, we will get to hear straight from the candidates what their plans are for our MSMEs," he added.
The show will be streamed daily at 10:30 a.m. starting March 21 to 25 over the Go Negosyo Facebook page and broadcast over One PH (Cignal Ch.1). It will also be broadcast over One News (Cignal Ch. 8) at 5:30 p.m.
Concepcion will join journalist and news anchor Cheryl Cosim to ask some candidates about their plans if they become the country’s next president.
Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Dr. Jose Montemayor Jr. will appear on the first episode on March 21. They will be followed by Senator Manny Pacquiao and Ka Leody De Guzman on March 22.
Senator Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson and former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales will appear on March 23, and Mayor Francisco 'sko Moreno' Domagoso and former Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella on March 24.
Vice President Leni Robredo and Faisal Mangondato are set to close the series on March 25.
“Kandidatalks” will focus on three issues that face the country following its two years of battle with the Covid-19 pandemic: the economy, jobs, and health.
This would be the second time since 2016 that Go Negosyo has hosted a forum for presidential candidates.
According to Concepcion, MSMEs have become more important as the country’s economy begins to recover from the pandemic.
"Almost all of the businesses in the Philippines are MSMEs, and more than half of the jobs generated from these small businesses," he said.
"Our presidentiables should connect with this segment of the population because our future as a country depends on helping these small businesses,” he added.