By Gonzalo Duque

 

I WATCHED how some presidential and vice presidential candidates performed in forums and debates and saw how the aspirants ultimately ended up hitting each other in the exchanges.  So sorry na lang yong mga absent because they missed the golden opportunity to show their mettle and to prove to the people that they really qualify for the office they are applying for.

But that is the essence of debates and since they are eyeing the highest and the second highest positions of the land.  They should be prepared to parry all those blows thrown at them.  And if they are onion-skinned and are not made of sterner stuff, expect them to run away with tails between their two legs when controversies arise.

When candidates avoid the debates, not only do they miss the opportunity to present their platforms of government but voters begin to think they are hiding something from the electorate.

Anyway, so far, the forums and debates dwell on generalities with no substantial mention on how their visions can be achieved. I have yet to hear a candidate present a road map how he/she can make us a better nation and a better people.

For instance, I have yet to hear a candidate promote education as a component of development with an agenda for the next six years.

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I wonder if the presidential candidates are aware that the fundamental problem in education is that we have become so dependent on programs that prepare graduates to become OFWs. An example of this is in maritime education that trains seamen we can export to all nations.

Why can’t we begin to have a medium term or long term road map where we develop students to help develop our own national growth, especially in agriculture?  I remember my late father, Dr. Francisco Q. Duque Jr., who wanted to introduce agriculture curriculum in our school to support the country’s economic take off. But no one enrolled for the course. 

When I was chairman of the different search committees for presidents of state agricultural colleges, I asked the agri colleges: “Why have you not developed your own programs in agriculture when in fact, you are supposed to be a state university dedicated to agriculture? Mas marami ang enrollment ninyo sa nursing, kaya dapat ang maging presidente ng state university ninyo ay yong dean ng nursing kung ang basehan natin ay sa paramihan ng enrollment.” They just nodded and kept quiet. 

That is what we and the next president of the Philippines should address—the development of agriculture in the educational field.

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Going back to the TV debates, organizers should consider to let all radio and TV stations as well as the print and social media cover these. That will help ensure better attendance from candidates kasi matatakot na silang ma-erase at matabunan ng ibang candidates. If absent sila, forget na sila, hindi na sila topic ng mga Marites.

For instance, notice how candidates love to project themselves as tough fighters of graft and corruption. Pa-tapangan! Ok kay Marites yan. But for the last decades, the presidents, governors and mayors that promised an end to corruption, nothing has happened. The crooks are still in government. They should be made to account for their failed performance.

But I’m sure nobody would like to adopt Polpot’s style of cleansing the society in Cambodia as featured in the movie “Killing Field”. He ruled with brute power and savagery, he had all people above 12 years, including  their teachers, professors—almost everybody—killed so that a real new society would be established. He resorted to genocide in order to achieve his objective.

Polpot was the scorn of the whole world. But look at what happened. Cambodia is now more progressive than the Philippines today.  Kasi nag-iba na ang mga new generations of Cambodians that sprouted, just like the generations that sprung on earth after the Great Deluge during the time of Noah. In that deluge, nawala yong lahat ng mga angkan nina Eva at Adan… Hindi ba? But I am not saying that Polpot was right.

But let’s asses the current war between Russia and Ukraine, particularly the possible scenario that could happen if Vladimir Putin is shamed because he could not subdue the strong resistance of the Ukrainians. Putin could become more dangerous and it could lead to mass murder in Ukraine.

Ganon yan! Kahiyaan na yan, eh. Tignan mo yong ipinadala ni Putin na mga armas sa Ukraine. Grabe! Hindi pa rin nagsu-surrender si President Zelenski and the determined people of Ukraine defending their beloved homeland.

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