Comelec spox Jimenez says Election 2022 best are not required to attend debates
COMELEC – The poll body said Tuesday that candidates for president and vice president are not required to attend the debates of the Commission on Elections.
James Jimenez, the spokesperson of Comelec explained that under the law, participation in debates among the candidates is not mandatory.
Comelec, on the other hand, cannot oblige the candidates to show up in the said public forum.
But according to him, the candidates often participate in public debates for “massive airtime.
The Commission on Elections is planning to hold a public debate per month beginning February until April. It will be participated by presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Once the official candidates in the 2022 elections have been finalized, the poll body will start the signing of memoranda of understanding (MOU) with each candidate so that they can agree on the rules of the debates.
Meanwhile, the campaign period for national positions will kick off this coming February 8 while the campaign period for local candidates will start on March 25.
The upcoming election is scheduled for May 9, 2022 (national and local level).
Among the tandem who will face off in the coming elections are Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Doc Willie Ong, Senator Manny Pacquiao and Buhay partylist representative, Lito Atienza as well as Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
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