Comelec: Absence from debates to ‘speak for itself’

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) cannot force candidates to attend its three presidential and vice presidential debates, but the poll body believes “the empty chair speaks for itself.”

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez on Wednesday said Comelec will conduct a total of six monthly debates in February, March and April in still unannounced venues in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. There will be no live audience, but television networks can air it simultaneously. —DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN