Health reform advocate and former special adviser of the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon highlighted the importance of election debates, reiterating that it increases each candidate’s political accountability and reveals their “true leadership.”
“ reflect their integrity, their competence, type of leadership, vision, and moral courage. Debates are very important because this would test the genuine leadership of a particular candidate,” said Leachon in an interview over CNN on Saturday, March 19.
Leachon said that a candidate’s presentation of a clear platform could lead the nation and the people in choosing what’s best for the country.
Furthermore, in transitioning to the so-called new normal, Leachon said that it is best for each aspirant to tackle their Covid-19 exit plan, the first 100 days on how they will organize the government, and how they would fast track the implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law which was recently signed in 2019.
“The faster we can exit from this pandemic issue, will actually open up more opportunities for job generation, the economy, and it will bring back our lives to normalcy,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Election’s (Comelec) Pilipinas Debates began on Saturday, March 19 at the Sofitel Tent in Pasay City.
All presidential bets have participated in the debates except former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who declined and said that he will “continue” his preferred mode of “direct communication with the people” to discuss pressing issues.