By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson may have just participated in his final virtual debate, after stating over the weekend that “one is enough.”

Lacson participated in the virtual townhall debate organized by the UP Law Alumni Association Negros Occidental Chapter, Philippine Daily Inquirer and the University of St. La Salle on Saturday, January 15, alongside his opponent, former Bacolod City congressman and city administrator Atty. John Orola.

“One is enough, the objective is to win the election and it can be done in some other way,” the governor said.

The debate was in a townhall format where the participants answered questions from representatives of different sectors and from the public.

According to Lacson, he is not comfortable with debates and it did not help that they were only given one minute to answer each question.

Among the questions include issues related to health, agriculture, infrastructure, economic development, and tourism.

Both Lacson and Orola also answered questions and even threw shots at one another over the provincial government’s handling of the disaster brought by super typhoon “Odette.”

Asked to rate his performance during the debate, Lacson gave himself a 5.

“That would be the only debate I will participate in for this election,” Lacson said, shooting down the possibility that he will participate in other debates during the campaign period.

Meanwhile, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia was a no show in the townhall virtual debate, and only his opponent, former Negros Occidental 3rd district congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, participated in the event.

Leonardia had earlier insisted that the event be held face-to-face, but organizers denied the incumbent mayor’s request.

In a statement given by Benitez following the townhall debate, he regarded himself as the “clear winner” as he showed to the voters of Bacolod City that he is ready to serve them with no excuses.

“I welcome any forum, in whatever platform and format, where I could present my vision and highlight my plans for Bacolod City,” he said.

Benitez added his only wish was the organizers should have given them more time to answer questions./DGB, WDJ