7 of 9 VP bets also confirm attendance
NINE of the 10 candidates for president in the May 9 elections have committed to participate in debates organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Six of them — Senators Panfilo Lacson and Emmanuel Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Ernesto Abella, labor leader Leody de Guzman, and Norberto Gonzales — have submitted written commitments for the March 19 “PiliPinas Debates 2022,” said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.
Faisal Mangondato, Jose Montemayor Jr., and Vice President Leni Robredo have given their verbal commitment, Jimenez said.
Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has “no written commitment/no written refusal,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez last month said a letter from the Marcos camp showed his “readiness to participate” in the Comelec’s debate series.
The poll body has said it would want candidates to sign a written document regarding their participation in the debates to make sure they are aware as to what to expect during the debates.
Robredo’s spokesman Ibarra Gutierrez said the Vice President will attend all Comelec-sponsored debates and will send a formal written commitment.
“In the last meeting called by Comelec, we already confirmed the participation of VP Leni in ALL of the Comelec debates, starting with the one on March 19,” he said on Twitter. “But to be clear: VP Leni will be there for the Comelec debates,” he said.
There was no word yet from the Marcos camp. Earlier, it said it would announce this week if the former senator’s schedule would allow him to join the Comelec’s first presidential debate.
So far, Marcos has participated in only one presidential debate, which was the one organized by the SMNI News Channel of pastor Apollo Quiboloy who has endorsed Marcos for president.
VP BETS
As for vice presidential candidates, the Comelec said seven out of the nine candidates have confirmed their attendance in the debates.
They are Senate President Tito Sotto, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Willie Ong, Walden Bello, Rizalito David, Manny Lopez, and Carlos Serapio.
Rep. Lito Atienza, who is running with Pacquiao, has formally declined participation for medical reasons.
Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is the lone vice presidential bet, who has not confirmed attendance.
On Saturday, Duterte-Carpio said she is not joining any debate.
The Comelec is set to conduct a five-debate series for the May 9 elections. The series, which will be produced by Impact Hub Manila, will include two presidential debates (March 19 and April 3), one vice presidential debate (March 20), one presidential town hall debate (April 23), and one vice presidential town hall debate (April 24).
The poll body previously said those who will skip the debates will forfeit their right to use the Comelec’s e-rally platform for the rest of the campaign period, while an empty podium will represent the candidate during the event.
Jimenez encouraged the public to submit questions for the debate.
With the use of social media, Jimenez said private individuals may choose to send their questions addressed to the bets.
“The #PiliPinasDebates2022 is a week away! No guarantees they will be asked, but if you have questions for the candidates, submit them using the hashtag #AskPilipinasDebates,” he said. — With Wendell Vigilia
