EDITORIAL - Next stop public debates?

Now newspaper ads.

Over the past several days, the BOPK has taken out full page advertisements in the local papers that extolled the virtues of Tomas Osmeña and Joy Young, having been Ten Outstanding Young Men awardees in the past. 

The time to file certificates of candidacy for next year’s election is still several months away, so Osmeña and Young cannot yet be considered candidates, and thus not liable for early electioneering. 

Besides, the ads never said Osmeña and Young were running for any elective position, only the suggestion that it pays to have two people who have been recipients of one of the country’s most prestigious awards. 

Perhaps, according to plan, the ads did not escape the notice of the public and have provoked public discussion. It is good to start the campaign this way, on a level of positive debate, rather than descending to the depths of mudslinging and character assassination.

Having fired the first shot, Mayor Michael Rama, whom Osmeña is expected to challenge, ought to follow suit, if only to join the fight at the level of discussion determined by the premise of the ads — achievements and recognition.

For Cebu City residents love to claim being intelligent voters. To sustain that claim, Cebuanos ought to demand that the level of political discussion stay intelligent and positive. Negative campaigning muddles the exercise and obscures the choices.

In fact, in addition to taking out newspaper advertisements to promote themselves and their achievements, the would-be candidates could even do Cebuanos better by engaging in public debates.

City politics may be way below the level of presidential campaigns, but Cebu City is a huge metropolitan area with very important concerns that need high level leadership. Bringing the candidates before the public in a debate, like they do in the US would truly be great.