Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. proposed Thursday the holding of debates among presidential wannabes where questions would come directly from the masses.

A kind of presidential debate, which could be called “Presidential Debate sa Riles,” he said, should be initiated to enable presidential aspirants to hear directly from the poor and middle class to help them better assess the candidates.

“Instead of the usually intellectual debate panel should be comprised of a barber, manicurist, laundry woman, janitor, seamstress, construction worker, newsboy, magbobote, sidewalk vendor, driver, carpenter and house help,” Marcos said.

He said this kind of debate will help the voting public make an intelligent assessment of the presidential candidates as to how they will respond to pressing issues involving the masses, which compose the majority of Filipinos.

The good thing about this debate is that will be held along railway track where thousands of urban poor families dwell and this will expose presidential wannabes to their impoverished living conditions, Marcos said.

“This is the real debate. The debates will be held right in the middle of poor communities and not inside fully-airconditioned auditoriums. The presidential candidates will hear the grievances straight from the masses,” he said.

Marcos said professors, economists and other intellectuals should not be welcome in this debate as only the certified members of the urban poor will take charge of the event.

“It is the aspirations and grievances of the poor which will be heard in this ‘Presidential Debate sa Riles.’ I don’t think it’s proper for economists and professors to ask questions to the candidates because they cannot be considered poor,” Marcos said.

Marcos suggested that the debate should be televised to enable the Filipino electorate to determine whom to vote for president come on May 10, 2010.