MANILA, Philippines—Both candidates were asked tough, hard-hitting questions on poverty and agriculture but only one was the clear victor in the debate.

Gabriela party-list representative Liza Maza lost the first and second round of debates against Bukidnon 1st district representative Neric Acosta in ABS-CBN’s HARAPAN: Mga Isyu ng Bayan, according to real-time feedback from select audience members using the Wireless Audience Response System (WARS).

Maza began the discussion by emphasizing the need for the local agriculture industry to be developed. “Ang susi ay ang usapin ng lupa. Dapat maresolbahan ito,” said Maza. She added that land must be given to farmers in order to develop local industries.

Acosta meanwhile said that education was the key to alleviating poverty in the country. “Ang susi ng kaunlaran ay mga kabataan sa kanayunan na dapat makapag-aral at makapagtrabaho nang maayos,” he said.

On Luisita

The first round featured candidates asking each other questions on the issues assigned to them. Maza opened the round by asking Acosta’s take on the temporary restraining order that prevents land distribution in Hacienda Luisita, which is partly owned by the family of Liberal Party presidential bet Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Acosta said Aquino is not the sole owner of Luisita and that the LP bet intends on fully implementing Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER).

Maza rebutted by saying that the stock distribution option being implemented in Luisitia is unconstitutional. According to Maza, the law dictates that land should be distributed directly. The round ended with 76% of the audience believing in what Acosta said.

Revolutionary taxes

For his part, Acosta took Maza to task for the "revolutionary taxes" being imposed by the communist New People's Army. Acosta is the the 1st district representative of Bukidnon.

Maza answered by saying that people join revolutionary groups because they lack other, better opportunities. “Napipilitan sumama sa armadong pakikibaka [ang mga tao] kaya dapat tuldukan natin ang agrarian reform,” said Maza.

She added that politics has to change because traditional politicians were still in power. “Hawak ng elitista ang gobyerno,” she added.

The round ended however, with 60% of the audience not believing in Maza.

Party affiliations

The second round of the debate featured the candidate’s supporters asking questions. Both questions were centered on the parties the two candidates are in.

“Paano ninyo mapapaniwala ang sambayanan kung ang mga kasama mo ang mga nagsulong ng [economic policies ni President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo]?” asked Maza’s supporter.

Acosta explained that GMA’s former cabinet members defected after seeing the inefficiency and corruption in the government. “Klaro sa [Liberal Party] na [kailangan] maninindigan kung ano ang tama at maging tapat sa taong bayan,” said Acosta.

Maza rebutted by saying that despite their deflection from GMA, if the same people serve the cabinet in an Aquino presidency, nothing new would happen. Despite this, over a third of the audience (66%) believed in what Acosta had to say.

Maza meanwhile was asked about her allegiance to the Nacionalista Party (NP), who according to the Acosta supporter, is shrouded in controversy because of its standard bearer Manny Villar. An Acosta supporter also brought up the issue of former president Ferdinand Marcos’ son in the NP slate.

Maza answered that his discussion with Villar included a common goal of improving agriculture in the country and genuine agrarian reform. The round ended with three-fourths of the audience (75%) not believing Maza’s statements.

Confidence, public perception

The two candidates were a study in contrasts in their speaking styles. While Acosta came off as cool and composed, Maza seemed to be unsure at certain moments.

Numerous Maza supporters expressed disappointment over her performance in the debate. “Maza is NOT a good public speaker,” commented one user (@ShockShockMe). He went on to explain however, that he would vote for both Maza and Acosta.

Another user called the debate “a weird one.” “Neither said much about the issues facing their parties,” said another user (@iggyignacio). “Maza completely skipped the Marcos issue… and Acosta’s defense of those LP bandwagon jumpers is sketchy."