Vico Sotto is the incumbent mayor of Pasig - a city in the Philippines' National Capital Region. He is notable for his efficiency, relative progressiveness, and anti-corruption efforts in his locality. Prior to his election, he was vocal against Martial Law abuses committed under the Ferdinand Marcos regime. He has since stayed silent on the matter, also refusing to endorse other politicians.

East Timor is an island country in Southeast Asia that achieved independence from Indonesia in 2002 after decades of violent conflict. A multi-ethnic democracy, it has expressed its interest in joining the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), but has not been accepted. If accepted, it would have by far the smallest GDP of ASEAN states (less than 15% of the next poorest country, Laos) and would have the second smallest population (after Brunei).

Prior to 1992, the Philippines had a centralized model of healthcare headed by the Department of Health (DOH). It has since undergone decentralization, wherein local government units (LGUs) became in charge of basic health services, primary healthcare, and the running of health facilities in their jurisdiction. The DOH now serves to lead policy making, implement standards, and provide technical support.

Anthromorphization is the attribution of human form or personality to things that are not human.

For the purpose of this debate, emotional stripping is when artists prioritize the exposure of their human self in the process of producing art such as making their personal traumas, addiction, and mental struggles - above all other aspects of their identity or personhood. Some examples include Billie Eilish’s ‘Bury A Friend,’ Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers,' and Jeanette McCurdy's 'I'm Glad My Mother Died.'

In a "small target" campaign, a political party deliberately limits the issues up for a discussion in a campaign. Instead of pushing for sweeping reform on a wide range of issues, the party focuses on a few key issues and allows its members to have differing opinions on other issues.