Braganza: Let’s debate; Espino camp: What for?
GUBERNATORIAL candidate Hernani Braganza came in fighting form, but he ended up enjoying a one-man show.
His opponent, re-electionist Governor Amado Espino Jr. did not appear at the debate sponsored by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) with the Parish Pastoral Council on Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and aired live over Radyo Bombo last April 6.
In a press statement after the program, Braganza taunted Espino “to stop hiding” and face him in a debate over issues involving the province.
“I am very disappointed that my rival chose to snub the invitation from the Comelec, PPCRV and Radyo Bombo. This should have been a great opportunity for the voters to choose the better gubernatorial candidate,” Braganza said.
Espino’s camp, on the other hand, brushed aside the affair saying the governor never even confirmed his appearance.
Butch Velasco, provincial information officer, said Braganza “is not standing on equal footing with Governor Espino” who has earned for Pangasinan many national and regional awards, a feat that he never achieved, not even by his predecessor, former Governor Victor Agbayani, Braganza’s chief partymate in the Liberal Party.
“In other words, hindi sila magka-level. Why debate?” Velasco said.
PAST DEBATE
At the same time, Velasco explained that Espino did not want to go to the debate after his sad experience in a debate with Agbayani at the same radio station.
In that debate, Velasco said Agbayani was allowed to violate rules twice by interrupting Espino.
Velasco narrated how Agbayani was allowed to interrupt Espino who was speaking with his rude comment “sinungaling” and the debate moderators did not do anything to sanction Agbayani.
Espino complained that the debate organizers failed to be fair by bending the rules in Agbayani’s favor, Velasco said.
Velasco said it was just as well that Espino did not participate because Braganza reportedly came with Bugallon Mayor Rodrigo Orduna the governor’s accuser who filed charges against him for alleged corruption involving jueteng money.
“The presence of Orduna was obviously calculated to provoke the governor,” Velasco said.
Velasco said unless the so-called debates are limited to discussion of plans and platforms of the candidates, there can be no intelligent discussion particularly when black propaganda is allowed to be raised, citing the harassment charges filed against the governor.
Nonetheless, Velasco said the governor prefers that the debate be held over the local GMA station where candidates are directed to to expound on their programs of government.
BRAGANZA SHOW
With Espino’s absence, the panelists who were supposed to grill the gubernatorial candidates on their respective platforms of government instead spent more than one hour interviewing Braganza.
During the interview, Braganza criticized Espino’s administration over the last six years for being “lackluster”.
“We have given Gov. Espino six years to improve the living condition of Pangasinenses. Everybody in Pangasinan knows that he has failed in this mission,” he said.
Braganza cited in particular the poverty incidence and crime situation in the province.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
