The ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs presents a series of firsts in the much-awaited showdown of vice-presidential bets on Harapan: The ABS-CBN Vice-Presidential Debate, that will bring viewers offline and online together this Sunday (March 21), 10 pm live on ABS-CBN from La Consolacion College in Manila, with moderator ABS-CBN anchor Ted Failon.

For the first time, Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Mar Roxas, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando—the four leading vice presidential candidates, based on the most recent Pulse Asia and Social Weather Station surveys—will engage in a debate with fellow aspirants in this televised showdown.

With a miting de avance theme, Harapan is also the first time each team of supporters get to rally for their candidates on national TV. 

Also to watch out for are the instant reactions from audiences in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and in social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, while Legarda, Roxas, Binay, and Fernando undergo several rounds of question-and-debate.

ABS-CBN launched the search for the next Philippine president with the very first presidential forum last May 2009 via ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel), with the objective of helping people choose the right person to vote by baring the platform and character of presidential aspirants.

With the same goal, the ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs division has lined up three debates, starting with the vice-presidential face-off. On March 28, ABS-CBN will mark another first as it puts the chemistry and working partnership of the match-ups for president and vice president to test with the first tandem debates this election season. The final presidential debate will take place in April 2010.

Watch Harapan: The ABS-CBN Vice-Presidential Debate this Sunday (March 21), 10 pm on ABS-CBN,  simulcast on Studio 23, ANC (Skycable Ch. 27) and TFC (The Filipino Channel).