The country’s presidentiables will square off anew in the Visayas leg of the presidential debates scheduled at UP Cebu. (Inquirer photo)
Two events will be held prior to the second leg of the Pilipinas Presidential Debates at the University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu).
Januar Yap, UP Cebu public communications officer, said an on-ground ticketed event organized by the school in line with their voters education campaign “Wise UP Cebu, Sayri! Barugi!” will be opened at 10 a.m. for over 1,700 Cebuanos.
The event is separate from the debate to be held at the UP Cebu Performing Arts Hall.
About 900 tickets will be raffled off during various pre-debate events to the general public.
The rest will be raffled off to students of UP Cebu and other students from 20 Cebu universities.
Passes are constantly being raffled off during the university’s pre-debate fora held at the campus.
Yesterday, a forum named “Marcos in Retrospect” was held at the Performing Arts Hall, where the first batch of on-ground event passes were raffled off to those who attended.
On March 11 and March 15, two more fora will be held inside the campus where passes will be raffled off as well.
Bleachers from the Lapu-Lapu City government are being set up on the university’s open field which can accommodate 2,000 people.
Yap said no supporters of candidates or members of political parties are allowed inside the campus during the on-ground event and during the debate.
He said stickers will be distributed to those who will be permitted to bring vehicles inside the campus.
Yap said an advisory from the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) stated that a portion of Gorordo Avenue will be closed off to vehicles without the stickers.
Jeneth Borlasa, production manager for the on-grounds event, said they have little-to-no-control over those who can come inside the UP Cebu Performing Arts Hall where the presidential debate will be held.
The UP Cebu Performing Arts Hall is on the second floor of the university’s library building.
Beside the Performing Arts Hall, a V.I.P room will be set up as well.