Twelve senatorial candidates from different political parties grilled each other on national issues in the first round of ABS-CBN’s “Harapan 2013: The Senatorial Debate” last Sunday (April 21) live from the La Consolacion College in Manila.
The debate trended on social networking site Twitter with the hashtag #Harapan2013 as viewers and netizens posted comments and questions while watching it on ABS-CBN, ANC, Studio 23, and ABS-CBNNews.com.
Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, Jun Magsaysay Jr., and Sen. Koko Pimentel of Team PNoy; Ernesto Maceda and Rep. Mitos Magsasay of the United Nationalist Alliance; Rep. Teddy Casiño of Makabayan; JC delos Reyes, Rizalito David, and Atty. Marwil Llasos of Ang Kapatiran Party; and independent candidates Mayor Edward Hagedorn and Ramon Montaño also explained their views on the divorce bill, the lowering of the age of discernment in juvenile justice law, and if religious groups should endorse candidates in the “paspasan” portions where they candidates were given 15 seconds to give and explain their stand.
They also answered questions from panelists Lynda Jumilla, Tony Velasquez, and Prof. Prospero de Vera and ordinary citizens with problems on gut issues such as poverty and health.
“Harapan 2013: The Senatorial Debate,” anchored by Ted Failon, will be replayed on ANC (SkyCable Channel 27) on April 27 at 10:30 PM and on April 28 at 1 PM.
The second batch of candidates will battle in “Harapan 2013” to be aired live on ABS-CBN on April 28 at 9:45 PM. For more information, visit halalan2013.abs-cbnnews.com and follow @ABSCBN_Halalan on Twitter.