By Julia Mangmang, James Banaynal, and Raphaella Sarangaya

In a series of videos posted on the Youtube channel of talk show host Boy Abunda from January 24 to January 28, five presidential candidates—Senator Ping Lacson, former Senator Bongbong Marcos, Vice President Leni Robredo, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, and Senator Manny Pacquiao were interrogated on their plans and views on current national issues. 

During the interview, candidates were given five minutes to answer questions on current events with regard to pressing matters that the country faces, along with varying follow-up questions based on each candidate’s answer. 

The host first asked each candidate if they would support the Duterte administration’s decision to loosen mining restrictions if elected. 

Lacson pointed out the importance of responsible mining, as the mining industry cannot be stopped. He further enumerated his plans to implement data-driven and science-based mining. 

“Mining is very controversial. However, it is also a valuable source of revenue for the government,” Marcos started, acknowledging the disasters caused by mining. To answer, he is wary of pit-mining, but is open to sustainable mining. 

Meanwhile, if elected, Robredo would overturn the decisions, wanting to focus on what would be beneficial to the Filipino people and stating her belief in sustainable mining with proper mechanisms.  

Mayor Isko plans to strengthen the administration’s decision as he believes that mining should be an industry and it can play a big role in providing jobs that the country has lost. 

“Ang mining, hindi ipinagbabawal ng ating Panginoon, ” Pacquiao started. However, he wants to regulate bans to preserve the environment.

Abunda then asked the presidentiables for their plans to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Senator Ping proposed internal cleansing within the government, as the country’s COVID-19 response is a failure, citing the lack of proactivity and foresight of authorities. 

Both Marcos and Pacquiao highlighted the need to get vaccinated and reaching herd immunity, with both of them emphasizing that the Philippines cannot afford to undergo another lockdown as this will result in the closure of more businesses

Meanwhile, Robredo brought up her COVID-19-related initiatives as vice president, and tackled the importance of the government working harmoniously and having a sense of urgency. 

Similarly, Moreno discussed his way of handling the pandemic in Manila City and how they always prepared for the worst case scenario, saying he would do something similar to the Philippines should he be elected president. 

Next, with the increasing number of underprivileged and jobless Filipinos, Boy inquired about each candidate’s plan to respond to this urgent problem. 

Lacson proposed to continue and tweak programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, fight corruption, and make sure that the country’s budget is not wasted. 

Bongbong Marcos, on the other hand, wants to increase the number of jobs to boost the economy, focusing on the Philippines’ money-generating industries such as agriculture and tourism. To give an immediate solution to hunger, he proposed providing ayuda. 

Instead of providing monetary assistance, VP Leni wants to generate more jobs and focus on improving local industries such as gold industries and small businesses should she be elected president. 

Just like the previous question, Mayor Isko cited his housing program in Manila City and his plan to generate more jobs and continue the current administration’s Build Build Build Program. 

Senator Pacquiao plans to lend small businesses money so they can generate more jobs for the Filipinos. He also mentioned his secret strategies that can corner corrupt officials and send them to jail. 

More than the financial contributions of OFWs, Abunda noted that Filipino families suffer from “unquantifiable social costs”. Given that, the candidates were asked how they would be able to balance both pros and cons of migration. 

Lacson cited government intervention and the significance of harnessing technology as solutions to the problem, emphasizing, “The government is the problem of our country.” 

According to Marcos, the ideal situation for OFWs is to only migrate if they want to; however, that is not the case, so it all comes down to providing more jobs in the country. 

“…’Yung mga kababayan natin, magtatrabaho sila abroad kasi ‘yun ‘yung gusto nila,” Robredo started, explaining that fixing the economy would make that happen. However, should citizens still choose to migrate, she mentioned a government program that can cater to the families of OFWs. 

Moreno said that he wants to focus on developing far-flung areas and increasing its economic growth.

“Trabaho ang maghanap ng tao at hindi ang tao ang maghanap ng trabaho para hindi sila mapilitang mag-abroad at iwanan ang pamilya,” Pacquiao answered as he reiterated his plans to combat corruption and strengthen the economy. 

The candidates were then asked about what they would do as parents and as presidents of the Philippines if they were to hypothetically discover that their children have been watching cybyerpornography. 

All candidates’ answers were similar, with all of them mentioning government and parental intervention to prevent children from watching pornography. 

Marcos particularly stated that should he become president, he will implement the teaching of proper sex education, while Robredo intends to hold social media sites accountable, too. 

After providing information on the dangers of abortion, Abunda asked, “Is it time to enact a law on abortion that would allow pregnant rape victims the choice of legal and safe abortion?”

Lacson responded by saying that he is not prepared to answer the question as he needs to study more data; however, he believes that the government should support both the mother and the child. 

Former Senator Marcos stated that he is in favor of legalizing abortion for very severe cases, adding that as a public administrator, death rates due to botched abortions should be much more of a concern rather than theology. 

Robredo and Moreno are against abortion due to their beliefs.  However, Robredo mentioned that she is open for discussions, while Moreno is pro-choice in matters like family planning. 

Pacquiao was firm on his pro-life stand as a Christian, stating that counseling rape victims may help “heal their wounds.” 

Quoting President Duterte’s statement on his war on drugs, the host inquired about each aspirant’s knowledge on illegal drugs in the country. 

Senator Ping first called out President Duterte’s mistake of imposing a three to six month deadline to eradicate drugs, adding that he advocates for the digitization of government processes. 

During her stint as the co-chair of the country’s anti-drug body, Robredo mentioned the opportunity to assess the flaws in the drug war; hence, her plan to restructure the agency. She vowed that in six years, the Philippines’ drug situation will be better. 

Meanwhile, Moreno, Marcos, and Pacquiao all plan to continue President Duterte’s war on drugs. Senator Manny added that he plans to continue the said war, but “in the right way.” 

Knowing that the country’s debt has ballooned to as much as Php. 11.93 trillion after President Duterte’s term, Abunda wanted to know what the five of them plan to do to pay off the Philippines’ dues. 

Lacson associates the country’s debt to the government’s lack of planning, promising to balance the national budget should he be elected president. 

As for Marcos, he intends to repay the country’s trillions of debt by “revitalizing the economy” and creating value in the economy, mentioning his desire to fight corruption in the process. 

The vice president answered that the country should honor its commitment to other countries. 

Mayor Isko believes that debts must be paid as this is an obligation, and to solve this issue on debt, foreign direct investments must be encouraged. 

Pacquiao’s biggest mission, he said, is to never borrow money. He added that as the person responsible for budgeting funds at home, he knows how to budget the Filipinos’ money. 

Given the country’s territorial feud with China, the host asked, “Do you think the Philippines is strong enough and prepared to fight a defensive war against China to protect our territorial sovereignty?”

Senator Ping and Marcos both stated that the Philippines is not ready for war. They first want to exhaust all measures to discuss properly before thinking of war. 

Robredo does not see the need for a war as the West Philippine Sea has been proven to be Philippine territory.  

Moreno and Pacquiao both believe that the country is ready for a war. However, they both promise to discuss first, with Isko promising, “makakapag-isda ang mga Pilipino sa West Philippine Sea.”

Lastly, after enumerating the jobs of a Philippine president, the host pointed out the few qualifications required of a presidential candidate; hence, he inquired if they think it is time to amend the law. 

Lacson and Pacquiao both want to change the qualifications to become president as the job is daunting given the current situation. 

Both Marcos and Robredo are against it, with Robredo recognising that not all Filipinos have access to the same educational opportunities. 

Meanwhile, before changing the law, Isko wants to make sure that all Filipinos are educated first.

To end the interview, Abunda asked all five aspirants to answer one personal-based question, why the citizens should not vote for their opponents, and why they should be elected president. 

All five interviews are available for viewing via The Boy Abunda Channel on Youtube.