Campaign rallies and debates

Think Bits
Last Monday was the start of the campaign period for the local candidates and as expected they held their respective proclamation rallies to much fanfare.

In Cebu City, the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) held its launching at the premises of the Guadalupe Church while Team Rama of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Vice Mayor Labella held its launching rally at the Plaza Independencia.

According to my sources, the crowd at the Team Rama rally was so huge that it spilled over the plaza itself which made some Team Rama candidates declare that they have won the election already.

Nothing much was heard about the BO-PK launching rally that was held last Monday morning at the premises of the Guadalupe Church. Unfortunately there are non BO-PK supporters who posted pictures of this rally.

Some BO-PK supporters criticized Team Rama supporters for allegedly saying that very few attended the BO-PK rally but they failed to support their assertion with pictures to disprove the allegation.

But logically one cannot compare Plaza Independencia with the Guadalupe Church because the plaza is a sprawling and open space unlike the Guadalupe Church that is surrounded by some edifices.

So one can say given the venue that the Team Rama rally has a larger crowd than the BO-PK rally. But whatever it is let me wish all the candidates the best of luck and let us campaign, not engage in mudslinging because it does not help the voter evaluate the qualifications of the candidates.

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Should Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama accept the challenge of former mayor Tomas Osmeña for a friendly debate?

I think the person who can better answer the question is Tomas Osmeña himself.
If one can recall the time he ran for mayor against then mayoral candidate Mary Ann delos Santos, Osmeña refused to debate with her because according to him he does not want to debate with a sure loser.

As a matter of fact it was the BO-PK policy not to allow their candidates to get involved in any debate with the opposing party members.

At this point it would be useless to debate with Osmeña because he has taken the position of negative campaigning that is full of lies and misleading positions. I think it is better for them to present to the people their respective performances and their track record in governance.

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