Close to 300 people from all walks of life came to the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center on Wednesday to listen to their candidates on what they have to say on issues that audience would ask.
Vice President Elias Camsek Chin, Johnson Toribiong, Surangel Whipps and Sen. Joshua Koshiba were asked about school drop-outs, education, military, tourism, youth programs and job opportunities and economic crisis.
The debate started at 5 p.m. and ended at 8:30 p.m.
Each of the candidates were given one minute to address the issues. All of them spoke in Palauan language.
The debate draws different reactions from the audience. After hearing the first and second set of the debate, some of them said that the race was between Chin and Toribiong but some also said that Whipps and Koshiba also expressed good points.
Adora Nobuo, a counselor from Palau Community College said that her Chin and Toribiong gave best answers that suited her beliefs and moral values.
“With the military issue, I totally believe that it’s better for the students to get education first before joining the military. As a counselor, I believe that students need to get an education first before getting into military. I don’t believe that they will just get out from high school then join the military. Of course they will learn a lot of discipline and vocational training but if they’re going to join military just to get an education then that’s not right. There are better ways to do it than joining the military,”she said.
14-year-old in-coming sophomore student from Xavior High School who requested for anonymity said that she was impressed with Toribiong.
“His answer really appealed to me when he said about freedom of speech. I believe the youth should start speaking out for themselves and start giving out ideas. As an individual, we are entitled to our own opinion and people of my age, we have great concerns for the government and its great that Johnson Toribiong acknowledge that. Freedom of the youth is good so that we will be able to contribute our ideas and not only focus on the elder people but also on the youth because we are the future of Palau,”the student said.
Dilluchei Kikuo, another student from Xavier High School said that she liked Chin and Toribiong answers saying their ideas are both solid especially when they addressed the suicide attempt issue and the military issue.
A 41-year-old mother who also declined to give her name said its hard to judge who among the four candidates have showed the best interest for the nation because all of them have showed strong points on all issues.
She said she cannot assess yet because the four candidates answered the issues equally. She added she need to hear more from them before she could come up with a good conclusion who among the four would best serve the people of Palau.
The 2008 Presidential debate was sponsored by Koror State Youth Council and Youth In Action.
