CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines - "We were snubbed."

This was the general sentiment among several voters in Cagayan de Oro City after only 3 of the candidates running for the country's top post attended the presidential forum in this city. The candidates who showed up for the forum were JC delos Reyes of Kapatiran, Bagumbayan party's Senator Richard Gordon and independent candidate Nicanor Perlas.

"I'm disappointed," Jev Tan, a resident of Cagayan de Oro City, told ABS-CBN News. "I was expecting that they would all show up."

Another city resident, Olive Pacurib, shared Tan's dismay. "I had hoped they would come here and explain their different platforms and programs of government," she said.

The forum, which was held in the Xavier University gym, had caught the attention of city residents because it was the only presidential debate to be held in Northern Mindanao before the May 10 polls.

Despite the absence of the other candidates, the forum pushed through.

Gordon, delos Reyes and Perlas explained their stand on the region's peace and order situation and the problem of illegal logging and mining. They also answered questions raised by city residents.

Perlas promised those at the forum that he would go after corrupt-ridden government agencies in Mindanao. He also vowed that if wins the election, he would dismantle the private armies of political warlords.

For his part, delos Reyes told the audience that if elected, his government would focus on the grassroots. "I will convene all the barangays in Mindanao," he said.

Senator Richard Gordon promised that he would work for peace in Mindanao if he wins the presidential race.

"I will unite all the warring tribes here," Gordon said. "We would have peace and order. I will show them a real vision that is Mindanao now."

At the end of the forum, Perlas and delos Reyes signed a document to prove their intention that if elected, their administrations would be transparent and accountable to the people.

However, Gordon refused to sign the paper, saying that he would only sign if the organizers, namely the Junior Chamber International (JCI) 24K Macajalar, release a statement condemning the other candidates for snubbing the forum.

While this was going on in Cagayan de Oro City, former President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) paid a courtesy call on Mayor Democrito Plaza II in Butuan City.

Estrada then went to San Francisco, Agusan del Sur to whip up support for his campaign. He was accompanied by PMP Senate bet Rodolfo Rodrigo Ompong Plaza, who is the brother of Mayor Plaza.