POE SHOWS PROFESSIONALISM, COMPOSURE IN CDO DEBATES

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Leading presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe tonight showed professionalism, composure and calmness during the presidential debates here, opting to offer sound solutions and not resorting to "blame game" on the country's problems.

In the "Pilipinas 2016: The Cagayan de Oro Presidential Debate" organized by TV Network GMA-7 and the Commission on Elections held at the Capitol University here, the Rappler.com online news network picked Poe as winner in round two of the debate which tackled issues related to poverty and development and round three which discussed issues on defense.

Rappler said Poe, particularly on the issues affecting farmers and fishermen, showed familiarity with the problems facing said two sectors and was able to discuss specific solutions to them such as the setting-up of agro-industrial zones.

Despite the rebuttal made by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago that Poe's proposal are easier said than done, the latter countered: "That is why it's about time a new President with fresh perspective is elected."

The Rappler editors also judged her winner of Round 3 of the debates based on the following criteria: Truthfulness, Overall Impact and Knowledge/Facts on file.

During the debates, observers said Poe showed calmness, and was hardly seen being agitated, excited or disturbed despite being hurled with hard questions and rebuttals by her political adversaries.

When impliedly hit by former DILG Secretary Roxas about her government inexperience, Poe politely responded that the country's current problems remain the same for decades but no administration was able to fully resolve them.

"Kaya po sa ating mga kababayan, pare-pareho lang naman ang problema ng Pilipinas e, pare-pareho nandyan. Wala pong proof na kapag matagal ka na sa pwesto mas magaling ka," the neophyte Senator said.

According to Poe, Roxas has been in office, appointed in various Cabinet posts during the Estrada, Arroyo and Aquino administrations, and yet a lot still needs to be done.

"Alam ko naman kung binobola ako o hindi. Kahit maikli ang aking panunungkulan sa gobyerno. Unang-una, tama si Secretary Mar, nakatatlong administrasyon na siya dyan, nabigyan na ng ilang mga responsibilidad sa gobyerno. Pasensiya narin po pero marami rin akong inimbestigahan katulad ng DILG at doon sa DOTC sa MRT, at sa tingin ko naman hindi mo kailangan ng napakahabang karanasan para malaman na kulang ang tulong gobyerno sa transportasyon sa ating bayan at kulang ang tulong ng gobyerno para magkaroon tayo ng katatagan," Poe said.