TWO presidential forums will bring in presidential candidates in Davao City, Tuesday.
All presidential bets, except Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and Senator Manny Villar, confirmed attendance to the 2010 Mindanao Presidential Forum sponsored by the Ateneo de Davao University, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCII), and Mindanao Business Council.
IBP president lawyer Pinky Cabreros expressed dismay on how Aquino and Villar declined the invitation, which was sent early February.
"We are just disappointed to hear them decline especially that we learned that both of them are in the city to attend a different forum organized by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy," she said.
The forum dubbed as Panaghisgut-hisgut was initiated for the Mindanaoans to hear the stand of the presidential candidates on certain issues that are significant to the people in Mindanao.
Organizers of the forum gathered various questions from all sectors in the community to solicit views of the presidentiables. This would help Mindanaoans decide the right person who carries the best plan for Mindanao.
Cabreros said the candidates will then be asked to sign a manifesto that would require their commitment to lodge a fair, clean and healthy campaign for the 2010 elections.
DCCII President Roberto Quinto also said the absence of some presidential candidates would then reflect where Mindanao is placed in the heart of these politicians.
The forum will start at 9 a.m. at the Ateneo de Davao University covered court and is expected to accommodate around 2,500 viewers from all sectors in the community.
Later in the afternoon is Sukatan 2010, the presidential forum organized by the Sonshine Media Network International, a religious group headed by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Quiboloy requested for a presidential forum before he will decide who to endorse for this year's election.
This is the first forum to be seen and heard all over the Philippines and the world live via satellite in real-time from Davao City.
With a worldwide broadcast, Filipinos abroad who will be voting will also have a chance to listen to each candidate.
As of Monday, the organizers claimed a complete attendance of all presidential candidates who will join the forum.