All presidential bets to attend Comelec debate
MANILA, Philippines — All presidential candidates, including former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, will attend the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) upcoming debate slated on March 19, its spokesperson James Jimenez said Thursday.
Marcos earlier declined to attend many presidential interviews and fora, citing either a conflict in his schedule or that he believed the interviewer was prejudiced against him. His decision, however, was roundly criticized such that he trended on social media.
Aside from Marcos, other presidential hopefuls who signified their intention to attend the Comelec debates are:
-former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella
-labor leader Leody de Guzman
-Manila Mayor Isko Moreno
-former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales
-Senator Panfilo Lacson
-Faisal Mangondato
-Jose Montemayor Jr.
-Senator Manny Pacquiao
-Vice President Leni Robredo
“As for the rest of the details, we will have to wait until we are coming up with a formal announcement for these matters. We want to keep this under wraps for now. But know that all of the candidates have signified their commitment to attend the first debate at least,” he said during the signing ceremony.
“So, we’re looking forward to that. It will be, if I’m not mistaken, the first debate that everyone will be attending,” added Jimenez.
According to Jimenez, there will be no live audience at the event. There is no final venue yet but it will be within the Greater Manila Area.
The debate will have a single moderator who will ask the questions to all 10 candidates. The bets, meanwhile, will have no advanced knowledge of the questions.
“No one will have any advance information about the questions. They will be given an idea of what the general topics will be but they will not be given specific questions,” Jimenez said in a press briefing.
Candidates are likewise restricted to bringing anything on stage as the poll body will provide a pad and pen, said Jimenez.
Other guidelines will be released after the Comelec finalized it.
Meanwhile, the vice-presidential candidates will be held on March 20.
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