𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠. 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗹𝘂

As expected, Team MaYap, composed of Tarlac City mayoral candidate incumbent Governor Susan Yap, gubernatorial candidate Congressman Christian Tell Yap and second district congressional bet former governor and congressman Vic Yap accepted the invitation to a public debate being organized by a non-government organization.

The organization, the Vessels of Humanity (VoH), revealed that outgoing Governor Yap confirmed her party’s participation in the “Probinsya ng Tarlac Debate” scheduled on May 3, while Team Angeles, headed by Mayor Cristy Angeles, who is running for a congressional seat, her husband Vic Angeles, a city mayoral bet, said that they are too “busy campaigning”.

It is presumed that Team Angeles likewise speaks for their party’s gubernatorial bet Paniqui Mayor Leonardo Roxas.

“As of today, only the Yaps, through Governor Susan Yap, have confirmed their participation in the scheduled debate. Despite several follow-ups with the Mayor’s office, the only response we have received is that Team Angeles is busy campaigning,” the organization said in an announcement.

“This suggests they cannot make time for this important event, which serves as one of the best opportunities to inform the public and campaign,” VoH said.

The organization added that if the Angeles camp and Leonardo Roxas fail to respond by April 12, it will be considered as a “refusal to engage with their opponents and an unwillingness to inform the Tarlaqueños about their vision for the future—how they plan to improve the lives of the people of Tarlac, make the community safer, and foster progress.”

The non-partisan organization emphasized the importance of the debate, saying, “This debate is not just an event—it’s a platform for every Tarlaqueño to be informed, engaged, and empowered to vote wisely.”

It can be recalled that on February 13, Vic Yap, the opponent of Mayor Cristy Angeles for the second district congressional post, challenged Team Angeles to a public debate.

“Challenge natin sila… let’s sit down together in one table and have coffee and talk about it in public,” he said in a radio interview, explaining that a debate would help voters distinguish between genuine leaders and those spreading misinformation.

The Yaps are stalwarts of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) while the Angeleses and Roxas are Partido Federal ng Pilipinas members (PFP).

Flight is Fright
Local political analysts are one in saying that the refusal of Team Angeles and Roxas to a debate versus the Yaps is a clear sign that they lack concrete programs to present to the public.

“Of course, they are afraid to face the Yaps in a public debate because they do not have concrete plans and programs to present. A gymnatorium, general hospital and budots dance will not be enough to save their necks in a debate most especially so that they will have to face the Yaps that are known for their economic savvy and landmark projects and programs,” the local political analysts echoed.

The analysts furthered that the three PFP candidates have yet to present any programs to lure voters on their sides while the NPC bets have consistently bragged about their landmark and nationally recognized programs.

“Have you heard even just one of the them (PFP) present any programs for Tarlaqueños like programs in the field of livelihood, health, food security, jobs creation and environmental protection? All you can hear from them are personal attacks and construction of edifices,” the analysts claimed.

The proposed debate will pit Roxas against Christian Yap, Vic Yap versus Cristy Angeles and Susan Yap opposite Vic Angeles.