TUGUEGARAO CITY– The University of Saint Louis (USL) Tuguegarao hosted the first gubernatorial debate in Cagayan organized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) through the leadership of Atty. Michael Camangeg, Provincial Election Supervisor IV, in partnership with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), April 22, 2016 at the James Ter Meer Gymnasium.

The four debaters each seeking the gubernatorial seat are: Atty. Cristina “Tintin” Antonio, daughter of incumbent Cagayan Gov. Atty. Alvaro Antonio and legal adviser to different sectors in Cagayan; Mr. Leonides “Odi” Fausto, the current vice governor of Cagayan; Mr. Rodel Dupaya Gerez, a teacher dubbed as the “Agila ng Cagayan” and whose popularity aroused in Facebook; and Mr. Manuel “Manny” Mamba, a former municipal mayor of Tuao, Cagayan and current outgoing secretary of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO).

Atty. Antonio enumerated programs for the youth, Mr. Fausto emphasized the empowerment of barangays, Mr. Gerez stressed on free education, and Mr. Mamba pointed out his administration’s move to improve health services in the province if elected governor.

The gubernatorial candidates of Cagayan square off at the University of Saint Louis, Apr. 22, 2016.The candidate-debaters also gave their views and stand on agriculture, climate change, disaster risk management, employment generation, and on the K-12 Program.

The issues on black sand mining, jueteng, politics of patronage and dependency, and corruption were also tackled in the debate.

Spiritual and moral recovery among leaders in Cagayan was further covered in the debate.

Reverend Fr. Edgardo “Gary” Agcaoili, Vicar General of Archdiocese of Tuguegarao and PPCRV Chair, and two anchors from radio stations in Tuguegarao City, were the moderators of the debate.

The debate was broadcast through AM and FM radio stations and cable TV stations based in Tuguegarao City.