Hindi mandatory ang paglahok ng mga kandidato sa mga election debate, pagkukumpirma ng Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“Under the law, participation in the debate is not mandatory. We have no choice. We cannot force them to join the debates,” sabi ni Spokesperson James Jimenez sa isang panayam sa telebisyon nitong Martes, Enero 18.
Hinahangad ng Comelec na magsagawa ng presidential at vice presidential debate mula Pebrero hanggang Abril bago ang Mayo 2022 elections.
Bagama't hindi mandatory, sinabi ni Jimenez na kadalasang lumalahok ang mga kandidato sa mga debate na kanilang inoorganisa.
50.78% examinees, pasado sa Nov. 2024 Licensure Exam for Agriculturists
“Historically speaking, when the debate is organized by the Comelec or if the Comelec has taken a lead role in organizing the debates, the candidates do come,” sabi ng opisyal.
“They don’t have to but they do come because of its massive airtime and they do get massive coverage that they could not get otherwise without pay or possibly running afoul of the time limits for broadcast,” dagdag nito.
“So ultimately, the coverage, the exposure, that is what tips the balance, I think, for candidates.”
Leslie Ann Aquino
