May 10 debate

Cebu City mayoral candidate Edgar Labella had asked for the postponement of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-organized debate from May 6 to Friday this week, May 10, or three days before the elections.

On his Facebook page, Labella said, “I apologize to the Cebuanos and to Mr. Osmeña for the short notice. Since you agree, see you on the tenth.”

Labella has been projected as a gentleman and a true public servant, the public might just take his word. It seems likely that he will finally engage Osmeña in a one-on-one.

The debate was originally set on April 22, was moved to May 6, and eventually set on the 10th via Labella’s request.

Will a debate, set almost on the eleventh-hour, matter? Just what sort of rhetoric, issues each of the candidate brings to unpack in the expectedly heated exchange in the name of winning votes?

While the parties at this point have pretty much mobilized their solid pool of supporters, steadfast in their loyalties, perhaps there is a

bulky sector of undecided voters out there, still looking forward to the debate as an opportunity to weigh properly their precious votes. Do they constitute a winning volume?

Since the campaign season started, it appeared it was Osmeña who had been persistently called to task parrying issues coming from many sides, most especially his brushes with the local police. Labella pretty much breezed through the campaign trail almost unscathed, going about his sorties with quiet mobility and ease.

These are the circumstances and we can only speculate whether they become major factors in the May 13 turnout.

Meanwhile, there is still the May 10 debate that we hope will be opportune time to properly highlight the issues concerning the city and its governance. Let us push the crucial points on traffic management, water supply, basically all elements that make up a highly livable city. How much imagination do Labella and Osmeña have to rally a prime city to where its citizens’ basic needs are properly addressed?