EN VIVO: UTEG DEBATE ASAMBLEÍSTAS 2025

Debate 2025: Candidates for the Provincial Assembly

Introduction to the Debate

• The debate is taking place at the main auditorium of UTIG, Universidad Tecnológica de Guayaquil, focusing on candidates for the Provincial Assembly of Guayas.

• This event serves as a civic democratic space for political candidates to present their proposals to students and the general public.

Student Perspectives on the Debate

• Andrea Clavijo Reyes, a law student at UTIG, emphasizes the importance of being informed about candidates' proposals, especially for young voters.

• She highlights security as a critical issue in Guayaquil, expressing concern over high crime rates and seeking candidates' plans to address this problem.

Candidate Insights

• Dr. Roberto Gilber discusses his experience and commitment to youth involvement in politics, noting that current young voters are more educated than previous generations.

• He expresses hope for change through legislative action in the National Assembly and critiques budget allocations for health services.

Economic Proposals from Candidates

• Ibon Moncerrat introduces herself as a candidate representing women and entrepreneurs within the Democratic Left party.

Introduction to the Debate

Opening Remarks

• The host welcomes the audience and introduces Raquel Reyes Morales, a candidate for the National Assembly from Guayas, representing district 2.

• Raquel emphasizes her commitment to demonstrating why voters should choose list 21 in the upcoming elections.

Candidate Introductions

• Wilson Valero introduces himself as a candidate representing over 1.7 million youth who have been unable to access public universities due to quota policies.

• He pledges to eliminate not only the entrance exam but also restrictive university quotas, aiming to promote youth entrepreneurship and support women heads of households.

Debate Format and Purpose

Overview of the Event

• The debate is being broadcast live from UTEC in Guayaquil, marking the second day of discussions for the 2025 elections.

• The event aims to inform citizens about candidates' proposals for provincial assembly positions in Guayas.

Importance of Voter Awareness

• Organizers stress that understanding candidates' proposals is crucial for informed voting decisions during this electoral period.

Broadcasting Details

Media Coverage

• The debate will be transmitted across various platforms including FM radio stations and digital media outlets like San Bonius and Vito TV.

Candidate Lineup

Present Candidates

• Introduction of candidates participating in UTEC Debate 2025:

• Jessica Basantes (Unidad Popular)

• Leticia Acedo (Pueblo Igualdad y Democracia)

• Roberto Gilbert (Partido Social Cristiano)

• Raquel Reyes (Creo, list 21)

• Gabriel Martínez (Suma)

• Wilson Valerio (Partido Socialista Ecuatoriano)

• José Gabriel Azte (Democracia Sí)

Debate Structure and Rules

Format Explanation

• The debate is designed to foster respectful dialogue among candidates while allowing citizens insight into their proposals.

Key Features:

• Duration: Total time allocated is 90 minutes with up to eight candidates per group.

• Themes: Focus areas include security, health, education, production, and employment.

Interaction Dynamics:

• Each candidate has one minute per thematic area for proposal exposition followed by a special block for cross-questioning among participants.

UTIG Debate 2025 Overview

Student Participation and Fact-Checking

• A special committee will select questions from students present at the debate, allowing for direct communication with candidates.

• Lupa Media will lead a technical team to conduct real-time fact-checking during the event, ensuring information accuracy.

• The debate will be broadcast live on radioforever 92.5 FM and various digital platforms of UTIG, promoting accessibility across the province.

Importance of Democracy and Candidate Respect

• The initiative aims to strengthen democracy, transparency, and citizen participation in Guayas through informed discussions.

• Candidates were pre-selected to ensure a respectful environment focused on exchanging proposals beneficial to citizens.

Inclusivity Measures

• Simultaneous sign language interpretation will be provided for the hearing-impaired community during the debate, enhancing inclusivity.

Educational Opportunities at UTIG

Academic Offerings

• UTIG offers international degree programs in collaboration with universities in the USA, Spain, and France, available both online and in-person.

• The new campus is equipped with high-quality facilities aimed at providing top-tier education.

Commitment to Student Success

• Emphasis on breaking barriers for students pursuing education at UTIG; promoting opportunities without limitations.

• Focus on research and sustainability as part of their educational mission while leading in employability initiatives within Ecuador's development context.

Debate Focus: Security Issues

Current Security Challenges

• Discussion centers around rising crime rates including drug trafficking, extortion, and violence affecting communities in Ecuador. Candidates are reminded that their responses should align with their roles as assembly members representing District 2.

Candidate Responses to Security Questions

Candidacy Insights

1. Candidata Basante emphasizes accountability within armed forces and police against corruption linked to narcotrafficking while advocating for increased budgets for health and education initiatives targeting youth engagement away from social vices.

2. Dr. Roberto Clíber stresses that change requires active participation from youth in assemblies; he calls for constitutional reforms as essential for addressing systemic issues impacting security effectively.

3. Candidata Raquel Reyes proposes specific daily work programs for inmates aimed at reducing recidivism by integrating them into productive labor that supports their rehabilitation while also addressing funding concerns related to prison systems contributing to criminal organizations' strength from within jails.

Proposals for Combating Crime and Improving Security

Legislative Proposals on Sexual Crimes

• The candidate emphasizes the need to address sexual crimes against children, proposing a law for chemical castration of convicted rapists targeting minors.

Role of the National Assembly in Crime Legislation

• Acknowledging the dual role of legislators, the candidate stresses that the National Assembly must legislate and oversee measures to combat crime effectively.

Understanding Crime as a Societal Issue

• The speaker argues that crime is not an isolated phenomenon but stems from societal issues like unemployment, highlighting that organized crime employs many individuals.

Employment as a Solution to Insecurity

• The candidate proposes creating dignified employment opportunities as a means to enhance security and reduce crime rates.

Judicial Reform for Enhanced Security

• A question is posed regarding reforms needed to improve judges' and prosecutors' quality, ensuring their independence and professionalism in handling cases.

Addressing Corruption within Judiciary

Selection of Competent Judges and Prosecutors

• The candidate suggests selecting qualified individuals for judicial roles while acknowledging existing corruption among some judges and prosecutors.

Protecting Judicial Independence

• There is concern about how organized criminal groups exert pressure on judges, necessitating protective measures for judicial personnel.

Comprehensive Security Strategies

Preventive Measures in Security Legislation

• The candidate outlines plans for preventive security legislation aimed at social investment resources to deter crime before it occurs.

Strengthening Police Forces

• Emphasizing police reform, there are calls to ensure that the National Police receive adequate support rather than being underfunded compared to other forces.

Concrete Proposals Against Youth Recruitment by Gangs

Reallocation of Traffic Officers

• A proposal is made to eliminate the traffic commission in Ecuador, reallocating officers to strengthen police presence and control on roads.

Criminalization of Minor Recruitment

• Plans include making recruitment of minors by criminal organizations a specific offense, aiming to protect youth from gang influence.

Reforming Sentencing Practices

Addressing Ineffective Sentences

• Discussion centers around reforming sentencing laws due to perceived leniency which fails to deter criminals effectively.

Implementation of Stricter Penalties

Proposals and Responses in Security

Overview of Candidates' Proposals

• The discussion begins with a summary of candidates' proposals regarding security, including reforms to the police force and oversight of institutions.

• Emphasis on modernizing the approach to global issues, highlighting the need for elegance, options, and opportunities in future planning.

Education and Innovation

• The importance of promoting sports and ensuring safety is stressed; education is positioned as a key element for future citizenship.

• The institution boasts diverse academic offerings: 28 undergraduate programs, 26 master's degrees, 21 professionalization programs, and one doctoral program. Notably, 90% of graduates find employment.

Health System Challenges Post-Pandemic

Current State of Health Services

• Acknowledgment that Ecuador's health system has revealed significant weaknesses post-pandemic, such as shortages in medical supplies and labor issues among healthcare workers.

Candidate Responses on Health Initiatives

• Leticia Ceballos discusses initiatives aimed at decentralizing health services in rural areas to improve access.

• She emphasizes preventive health policies over building new facilities, focusing on educating medical students about quality nutrition.

Legislative Proposals for Health Improvement

Addressing Specific Health Issues

• Candidate Moncerrate highlights two major health problems: childhood cancer legislation and fiscal accountability within the national health system.

• She stresses the urgency of addressing renal disease care deficiencies due to financial mismanagement leading to preventable deaths.

Reforming Healthcare Administration

• Candidate Martínez proposes legal reforms targeting negligence within healthcare administration to ensure accountability for failures that lead to patient harm.

Fiscal Oversight Measures

Health Reform Proposals in Ecuador

Addressing Healthcare Shortages

• The speaker emphasizes the need to prevent hospitals and health centers from running out of essential medications, supplies, and equipment.

• Acknowledges a significant state debt of nearly $14 billion affecting the availability of medicines and specialized personnel in healthcare.

Prioritizing Health in Budgeting

• Stresses that health should be a state priority, with initiatives needing to align with the health budget mandated by the constitution at 4% of GDP.

• Advocates for increased medicine supply and specialist doctors while insisting on the state's obligation to pay its debts to social security.

Defending Social Security

• Calls for unity among candidates from popular movements to prioritize public health issues.

• Critiques the current situation where citizens feel their contributions yield no benefits, highlighting a systemic failure in social security.

Oversight and Accountability Measures

• Candidate Raquel Reyes proposes implementing strategic oversight within social security institutions to improve service quality.

• Suggests reallocating part of VAT from alcohol sales and vehicle sales towards enhancing social security funding.

Employment as a Solution

• Candidate Valero argues that generating formal employment is crucial for strengthening social security systems.

• Emphasizes fiscal accountability regarding budget allocation for medical training and professionalization due to a significant deficit of specialists in Ecuador's healthcare system.

Summary of Candidates' Proposals

Education Challenges in Ecuador

Overview of Educational Issues

• The candidates discuss the pressing challenges in Ecuador's education system, including quality, access in rural areas, and labor market integration.

• A question is posed to candidate Wilson Valero regarding his support for initiatives aimed at reducing school dropouts and promoting student retention.

Candidate Responses on Education Initiatives

• Valero emphasizes the need to audit the allocation of the constitutional budget (3.5%) for education and questions current spending practices.

• He proposes reforms to make basic education mandatory and aims to eliminate restrictive policies related to university admissions.

• Valero criticizes existing admission exams and quota systems that limit access for students, advocating for comprehensive educational reforms.

Addressing Insecurity through Education

• Candidate Reyes highlights a direct link between lack of education among youth and rising insecurity, proposing innovative educational programs as a solution.

• She suggests reintroducing civic and religious education into the curriculum to instill values alongside technological advancements in teaching.

Budgetary Concerns in Education

• Canteada Toquil reflects on his extensive experience as an educator, stressing that effective change requires more than just good intentions or superficial measures.

• He mentions that $4.3 billion is allocated annually for education but calls out inefficiencies within government actions regarding this funding.

Commitment to Quality Education

• Another candidate expresses her commitment to being an advocate for educational reform, emphasizing a budget of around $7 billion which should be utilized effectively.

• She plans to reintegrate over 240,000 children into the educational system by improving infrastructure and ensuring job stability for teachers.

Ensuring Efficient Resource Allocation

• Candidates are asked how they will ensure efficient use of resources dedicated to educational infrastructure within their districts.

Education Reform Proposals

Current State of Education

• The educational system faces a significant challenge, with nearly 300,000 young people graduating each year, yet only 30% are able to enroll in university.

Proposed Solutions

• Emphasis on technical secondary education is crucial. A reform to the organic law of intercultural education is proposed to enhance practical knowledge for students.

• The goal is to equip young individuals with skills that provide added value in the job market, enabling them to either self-employ or secure prosperous employment.