The first round culled the most controversial criticisms held against each of the

candidates, ranging from unexplained wealth, health, inexperience,

incompetence to adultery.

Binay, responding to the moderator’s question of how 30 years in government

service could yield 11 real estate properties outside of two that were inherited,
answered that the properties were bought with earnings from his law practice and
his wife’s medical practice before he took government office in 1986. He was
unable to explain how a pro bono human rights lawyer and a child born to
poverty – both characterizations Binay uses to build his public image as a
defender of the downtrodden – could accumulate large tracts of real estate on a
government salary.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago was reminded of her recent less than

sterling attendance in the Senate, and was asked how she thought she could
handle the heavier demands of a presidency. She responded, indignantly, that
diseases can come and go or disappear, that she was in fact at death’s door but
survived, and that the presence of a disease is not a legitimate standard for
disqualification. She also added that the duties of a senator are often equal or
heavier than that of a president. “Sometimes a senator has to fight against all the
senators who stand against her. Not like a president, who is surrounded by
people saying hallelujah.”

Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he had never committed an extrajudicial

killing. He then added that “if I become president it will be bloody because I will
order the killings of all criminals and drug lords” – an order, it must be noted, that
falls under extrajudicial killings in a country without the death penalty.

Duterte admitted to his womanizing. “Well, if you’re separated from your wife,
then what do you do with yourself? What do I do with what I’m carrying” –
possibly referring to his penis – “when I can’t sell it and you can’t pawn it. You
use it, or you die.”
Senator Grace Poe told the mayor that it may be necessary to restrain himself
from his manly overtures as presidents, like parents, are must be examples to
children. She added she would continue to emphasize respect for all people, of
all genders. Duterte answered that all his activities happen inside bedrooms,
and that “you don’t flaunt it in public.” He also added that his other wife is in the
United States and that his actions in the interim were natural. “It’s biology,
actually, it is biology.”

Asked about her comparative inexperience, Poe enumerated her administrative

role in the MTRCB, as well as her senatorial experience and the fact that as a
mother, she understood people’s needs. She also referred back
to Santiago’s earlier comment that the presidency would be easier than the
senate.Former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas told Poe that “the presidency isn’t
on-the-job-training.” Poe retorted that Roxas, for all his vaunted experience
under three administrations, had seen his two departments, the DOTC and the
DILG, investigated by the senate. “I don’t think I need that much experience to
know the government was lacking in transportation and security.”

Roxas responded to questions about his response to Super Typhoon Yolanda

by saying he was in the disaster zone before, during, and after the storm. “I did
not leave until the situation was stabilized and I was not like the others who flew
in on helicopters like tourists, left, and now have so much to
say.” Binay accused Roxas of “analysis paralysis. “And where was Roxas?
After the quake and after everything that happened in Leyte, he disappeared,
and that explains why those from Leyte are so angry with him, because of his
incompetence handling the problem of Yolanda.”

Rappler editors called this round for Roxas, who was concise and
straightforward. The usually playing-safe and long-winded Roxas immediately
went on the offensive when he made his opening statement and during the 1st
round, singled out his rivals for their perceived weaknesses. He called out
Poe for being inexperienced, telling her that the presidency is not an OJT.
Netizens voted Duterte as this round's winner. The second place went to
Santiago.

The second debate focused on poverty and development. There were many
variations on welfare subsidies, but with Santiago demanding that candidates
offer funding plans for welfare programs, and Binay again reiterating that
decisiveness is key, along with the offering that he is decisive, that Makati has
solved problems and that he can solve the nation’s.

Below are the highlights:

Binay and Poe agreed farmers deserved aid. They agreed on farmers’ subsidies
and free irrigation. Binay wanted more investments and post-harvest
assistance, Poe wanted crop insurance and agro-industrial zones. Her answer to
hunger was free lunches in public schools and farm subsidies.

Santiago said “promises are very easy to make” and said no president had ever
ended hunger. She demanded to know where the money was coming
from. Poe said the answer was a new president with a new perspective.

Santiago’s answer to poverty was to increase funding to health, education,

social welfare. It was unclear how the programs would be funded,
but Santiago said taxes should either lower or raised but ran out of time to
explain her plan.

Roxas said welfare programs have worked and will be

continued. Santiago called Roxas’ program “promises in the sky” and
demanded a funding plan. “Where are we getting the money? That’s what I’m
asking. Where? Who is offering? Who is donating? Will it be rich people? Will we
be raising their [taxes] just because they’re rich? Looking for fund sources is a
huge problem. I can make an entire list from here to there of all my promises to
you but they will each cost taxes.”
Roxas advocated cheaper loans and new technology for fishermen. Duterte
agreed with the programs but said implementation will be a problem if officials
are corrupt. Roxas said anti-corruption is the center of his and Aquino’s previous
administration.

Asked about rice smuggling cartels, Duterte answered, “Is that it? I’ll do it in
three days,” without explaining how. He added that he was willing to "stake my
honor and my position that in 3-6 months this country will be clean.”

Rappler editors called this round for Poe. The senator showed how prepared she
was for these topics, citing carefully selected data on farmers and discussing
specific solutions to their woes – going beyond broad strokes. Rebutting her,
Santiago said these are easier said than done and that previous governments
have been unable to solve these problems, anyway. Poe shot back: That's why
Filipinos need a new leader with fresh perspective.

Netizens again voted Duterte as this round's winner. The second place went to
Roxas.

The third round discussed drugs, dynasties, and the future Mindanao.

Below are the highlights:

Duterte said there was disproportionate funding for Mindanao compared to

Manila. He offered federalism – without details – as a solution. Roxas said that
although government failed Mindanao in the past, funding for Mindanao doubled
compared to the past two administrations because of the administration’sDaang
Matuwid. Duterte retorted that he has seen no straight paths in Mindanao, only
crooked.

Roxas talked up his current anti-drug program. Binay said there was a failure in
enforcement and leadership, unlike his program in Makati. Roxas retorted that
there are two Makatis – “the Makati that the Ayalas developed where there jobs,
and Binay’s Makati where the drugs still are.” He added that “Makati has the
highest drug rate, all the rich in all the clubs, every Friday, Saturday are there.
Drugs are all over Makati.” Binay said he didn’t know where Roxas’ statistics
came from, but added that Makati has never had drug problems, and that the
entire Makati is prosperous.Roxas jumped in with an offer to bring Binay to
Makati’s housing projects to demonstrate the city’s poverty.

Binay, asked about his stand on the anti-dynasty bill granting his own political
dynasty, said there was a problem defining dynasties and argued there was no
reason to deprive qualified and willing leaders of the opportunity to serve if
elected. Santiago said dynasties were
unconstitutional. Binay said Santiago’sson had also been elected, and earned
laughs from the crowd. Santiago said it was a different matter, as her son only
stayed one term in office.

Santiago and Poe both said they were opposed to the Enhanced Defense
Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States.

Poe, asked if she supported the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) said she
wanted “transparent, inclusive, and sustainable” talks that included all
parties. Duterte said it is necessary to “right the historical wrong committed
against the Moro people,” and only federalism will appease Mindanao after the
BBL’s failure to pass. Poe said there is space to discuss federalism, but
recommend a “devolution of powers.”

Rappler editors gave this round to Poe again. She took a distinct position from
Santiago on EDCA.

In her face-off with Santiago on the issue of the EDCA, Poe said that the
situation seemed to be better when the Philippines was still hosting US bases,
since it received financial remuneration for the use the country’s facilities then.
"Now, under EDCA, their stay here is for free," Poe said in Filipino. She took the
sober ground in the Philippines' maritime dispute with China, saying the
Philippines should take the leadership role in ASEAN in pushing for a binding
Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
Netizens again voted Duterte as the winner in this round. Roxas again came in
second.

Binay said a president must practice “good governance and compassion to

others, particularly to the poor.”

Santiago reiterated her constant campaign line. The next president must have,
first, academic excellence – “head of the class or at least honor student.”
Second, she should have professional excellence – “she was given an award by
her fellow professionals because they are in awe.” Third, it should be a leader
with moral excellence “with no stain to her record.”

Duterte said he is running because he loves the Philippines and its people,
adding that, “I am a native of the Philippines.” He said of drugs, crime and
corruption have long been issues, but that little has been done. “I am not trying to
impress you. I will get rid of drugs, suppress crime, stop corruption in government
in a matter of 3 to 6 months.”

Poe closed as she opened with specifics on Mindanao – the need for electricity,
jobs, and a fight against corruption. She added that she would pass an Executive
Order for Freedom of Information, explaining that across the country, what is
important is the trustworthiness of the leader. “Yes, it’s true, I may be new but our
problems are not, and so many who have the experience only repeat and repeat
their old solutions.”

Roxas followed through with his no-drama image. He said he lived a comfortable
life and could assure his son of a comfortable future. “Why do I want to be
president? Because I want that future for all of you. Free from hunger. Free from
fear. Free to dream.”