Comelec plans to hold ‘primary’ presidential debate in January

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) plans to hold a “primary” debate for presidential candidates in January next year, the poll body’s spokesperson James Jimenez said Thursday.

“We are looking at one primary debate, three presidential debates, and three vice-presidential debates. It will be in hybrid. The candidates will be in person. They will be debating face-to-face but the audience will be virtual,” he said in a press conference.

Jimenez said that a primary debate is “the one that’s probably early in the year, sort of a teaser for the debates.”

“All of these are still in the planning stage but yes, January is probably gonna be presidential,” he said.

“The debates will be spread out throughout the campaign period, so February, March, April,” said Jimenez.

However, Jimenez said that the Comelec may not hold debates for senatorial candidates.

“I don’t think we can organize debates for the Senate but I think there are a lot of private efforts to organize senatorial debates or fora and we are very eager to support those,” he noted.

The Comelec is expected to release the final list of candidates for the May 9, 2022 elections by the middle of December at the “earliest.”

JPV