𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠. 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗹𝘂

A DEBATE is a process that involves formal discourse on a particular topic or collection of topics and it is being witnessed by a large audience and most often, political debates are televised and are well documented.

The term debate may also apply to a more continuous, inclusive, and less formalized process through which issues are explored and resolved across a range of agencies and among the general public.

Well, enough of Merriam Webster and Wikipedia and go directly into the challenge of former Governor and Congressman Victor “VY” Yap against his political opponent for the second congressional district post –Tarlac City Mayor Cristy Angeles, to a public debate.

For the past few months, the team of the city mayor has hurled unfounded accusations against Team MaYap’s VY, Tarlac City mayoral candidate Governor Susan Yap and gubernatorial bet Congressman Christian Yap.

They claimed that the capitol under VY and SY have entered into billions of loans; that SY is not a resident of Tibag and should be disqualified; that their ancestral home in San Jose was forcibly seized from a military general; that CY has no sponsored bills in Congress, and many more.

These claims are all baseless as per the Yaps…but still, the team of Angeles has tried to besmirch their characters through the use of social media trolls, paid barangay captains and media personalities.

Now here is the former governor and congressman VY calling on Angeles to a debate so that Tarlaqueño voters will be informed on what is true and what is fake news, on who is right and who is wrong, on who has the best programs and who does not have any, and who is the real angel and who is evil.

But come to think of it, will the mayor accept the challenge of VY to a public debate? As one local political analyst claims, Angeles will not accept any debate most especially if VY will be her opponent… and I agree.

Maybe if it will be Rodrigo Tomaroy or Ernesto Calma or George delos Reyes as her opponent, maybe, just maybe, the city mayor will accept the challenge — but with VY, hmmm, I doubt it very much.

If ever, by some twist or some miracle, Angeles accepts the call of VY, it should be open to the public, televised, and aired live over radio and be covered by regional and local media — the topic should be the accusations of the mayor against the Yaps.

VY is ready to debate her. SY is ready to debate Angeles’ husband Vic and CY is also ready to debate Max Roxas… anytime and anywhere. I do hope they all accept the challenge. Exciting!