MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will push for a law mandating the attendance of candidates in debates in future elections.
“Paano po namin gagawin iyan? Again, kukumbinsihin po natin ang ating kagalang-galang na Kongreso na sana po ilagay na po talaga na requirement na a-attend ang lahat ng mga magiging kandidato, lokal man at nasyunal, sa mga ipapatawag na debate ng Commission on Elections,” COMELEC Commissioner George Erwin Garcia said in a televised briefing on Monday.
“Kung hindi, puwede siyang maging ground ng disqualification and at the same time, puwedeng maging ground ng election offense,” he added.
The commissioner stressed that debates are very important events where aspirants can relay their platforms, plans and stand on various issues.
“Ang debate, sabi ko nga, eh para itong isang pintuan na magpapakita sa iyo ng kaloob-looban at kaisipan ng isang kandidato. Napakaimportante po ito dahil makikita rin ang kahandaan ng kandidato na humarap sa kaniyang mga kababayan na nililigawan niya, at the same time nailahad iyong kaniyang nasa isip at iyong kaniyang karanasan patungkol sa pagsolusyon sa problema ng bayan,” he said.
Garcia admitted that the poll body cannot force candidates to attend their debates as there is no law mandating their attendance to such activities.
At present, candidates who refuse to participate in COMELEC-organized debates are deprived of the benefits of availing the poll body’s e-rally platform.
“Sa kasalukuyan po talaga, hanggang ngayon, diyan nga po kami nagkakaproblema dahil wala po kasing umiiral na batas. Wala po tayong maidagdag na sanction maliban sa unang sanction lang tungkol sa e-Rally ang pupuwede nating maipatupad para sa ating mga kandidato,” Garcia said.
“Hopefully po mas magkakaroon ng ngipin at magiging mandatory ito sa mga darating na eleksiyon pa sa susunod,” he added.
The COMELEC has already held two presidential debates and one vice-presidential debate for the May 2022 elections.
Nine presidential aspirants have attended the two debates except for former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Seven vice-presidential candidates attended the debate except for Sara Duterte and Lito Atienza.
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