De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU) scored its first championship against archrivals and defending champs, Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), in the action-packed finale of Square Off: Frankahan, the Drilon Debates two weeks ago.
Dino
de Leon, Robin Sebolino, and Bianca Lagdameo from the DLSU Debate
Society powered past the team from the Ateneo Debate Society, composed
of Gica Mangahas, Miko Biscocho, and Steph Co, during the "Frankahan" finals at the Loop Studio at the ABS-CBN complex.
The
two teams debated on the motion that the government should scrap its no
ransom, no negotiation policy towards terrorists, with the ADMU team on
the Government side and the DLSU team representing the Opposition.
DLSU
passionately argued that removing such policy only perpetuates a
vicious cycle of kidnapping, while the ransom money terrorists gain
only makes their group stronger, posing an even greater threat to
national security, which should be the state's primordial duty to
uphold. DLSU asserted, a policy of all-out-war would send the proper
signals and deter similar terrorist activitieis.
ADMU
contended that because kidnap-for-ransom groups differ in profile, then
the Government should be allowed flexibility in dealing with each
kidnapping case; while negotiation won't necessarily be employed in
every instance, the option should be available, particularly when it's
the only way that will save lives. ADMU also pointed out that unless
the state participates in negotiations, the families or employers of
kidnap victims deal with the kidnappers themselves, anyway. Government
intervention will help mitigate the risks.
During
the critique portion, one adjudicator praised DLSU's style and
presentation while another judge opined that DLSU weakened its case
somewhat, when one of them claimed that their policy placed equal value
on human life.
One
adjudicator liked ADMU's set-up but another adjudicator faulted ADMU
for failing to acknowlege that even non-monetary concessions to
kidnappers could have grave repercussions.
Former
Senate president and the night's chief adjudicator summed up the
panel's seniments, saying they were impressed with the teams' arguments
on a very timely issue, as the government tries to free the three
International Red Cross workers being held by the Abu Sayaf.
"I
hope that our government policymakers watched the debate. Maybe after
listening to both sides, our government policy on these kidnappers
would be more rational than it is today," Drilon said.
The
board of adjudicators was composed of 2002 Bar Topnotcher Arlene
Maneja, 2005 Bar Topnotcher Joanne de Venecia, Columnist and ANC
Producer Pat Evangelista and Baliuag (Bulacan) councilor Ricky dela
Cruz,
Drilon
also said that the judges had a very tough job choosing between the two debate teams. An insider intimated that the
judges were split down the middle, reaching consensus right before the
announcement had to be made
The
DLSU debaters won the chance to represent the country in Dhaka,
Bangladesh for the Asian Universities Debating Championships (AUDC),
with all expenses provided by former Senate President Franklin Drilon,
who is also the main sponsor of the debate series.
For
the individual awards for Best Speaker, DLSU's de Leon was declared the
"People's Choice," chosen through text votes, while Ateneo's Biscocho
was the "Judges' Choice."
In
all, 22 schools joined the current season of Square Off. Among them
were top contenders from the previous season—University of the Philippines Diliman, Ateneo De
Zamboanga, Silliman University, and Xavier University —and new
challengers—La Salle Bacolod, Ateneo De Naga, UP Iloilo, Mindanao
State University-Iligan, and University of San Juan de Recoletos.
Square
Off is hosted by Twink Macaraig. It airs every Wednesday, 8 p.m.-9
p.m., with replays every Thursday 1 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. and Sunday 2
a.m. on ANC (Skycable channel 27).