Lawyer Pinky Cabreros, IBP-Davao City Chapter President, said this would be the first time for the various sectors here to bring into Mindanao some of the future leaders in the next administration.

“Sectors from religion will be given chance to ask the candidates to bare their programs that would benefit Mindanao in particular,” Cabreros told reporters in a press conference at the SM City Davao.

The mayoral forum is slated on February 25 at the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) where it would gather Magdaleno Marcellones, incumbent Vice Mayor Sara Duterte, and House Speaker Prospero Nograles.

A presidential forum will also be conducted March 9 on the same venue, Engineer Robert Quinto, president of DCCCII said.

Quinto said they are waiting for the confirmation of all presidential candidates this week. Currently, only Senator Richard Gordon has given word underscoring his commitment of attending the forum on March 9.

Expected to give their confirmation this week are Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Councilor John Carlos delos Reyes, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, Senator Jamby Madrigal, Nicanor “Nick” Perlas, former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, and Senator Manuel Villar.

On the presidential forum, Quinto said, the candidates would be asked to concentrate on agribusiness, peace and order, mining, Indigenous People (IP), and energy.