MOST of the women candidates in Davao City for the May 13 midterm elections didn't show up in Friday's "Kapihan sa PIA" press forum.
Only second district congressional bet Joji Ilagan-Bian and aspirant for a first district seat in the City Council of Davao Ma. Belen Acosta attended the forum and answered questions from the media on different local and national issues.
PIA regional director Efren Elbanbuena said Friday's forum was transformed into a candidates' forum since they are one of the government agencies deputized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the conduct of the May polls.
Since the forum was a Comelec hour and aired live over DXRP-Radyo ng Bayan, candidates would have enjoyed free air time to discuss their platforms and talk on issues affecting the nation.
Elbanbuena said they initially invited the women in politics, all 13 candidates from Davao City seeking different elective positions in the May polls.
He said those who failed to attend the forum missed a "wider exposure for free."
Incumbent candidate, Representative Mylene Garcia (second district, Davao), reportedly confirmed her attendance, but later backed out due to previous commitments.
Another bet seeking a seat in the local lawmaking body, Petite Pricipe, who is running under the banner of the Liberal Party (LP), confirmed her attendance, but didn't show up for unknown reason.
Bian, who is running as independent, said if given the chance to serve the people of the second district of Davao she will initiate reforms in the policies on college education.
Acosta, for his part, said: "Is the budget enough (for education)? No, it's not." Acosta is running under the Hugpong Tawong Lungsod.
Both Bian and Acosta said they are seeing more women in government today, Saturday, and would like to see more of them entering politics.