Lacson, Sotto suggest: Split candidates into 2 batches during Comelec debates

Sen. Panfilo Lacosn (left) Senate President Vicente Sotto III (right) during a “Meet the Press” forum on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. (Photo from Lacson’s office)

LUCENA CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should consider splitting candidates into two batches for the presidential and vice presidential debates and lengthen the time each bet gets to explain their answer.

These were the suggestions made by the tandem of presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson and vice presidential contender Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

Speaking with reporters after a town hall meeting here on Monday, Lacson said candidates should be given more time to lay out and detail their platforms.

“Yung length dapat lang [i-adjust]. Alam mo, ‘pag naglatag ka ng plano, ng plataporma, bigyan ng mas mahaba-habang oras,” Lacson said.

(The length should be adjusted. You know, if you lay out your plans and platforms, more time should be given.)

Sotto, for his part, pointed out that there are “too many” candidates, thus it may be advisable that they be divided into two groups.

“Ang suggestion ko sa Comelec, hatiin. Masyadong maraming kandidato. Sa nine (vice presidential candidates), mag-draw sila. Yung isang debate, lima. Yung isang schedule yung apat,” he said, noting the same should be applied to presidential debates.

(My suggestion to the Comelec, divide it. There are too many candidates. Among the nine, they should draw lots. The first debate would be for the five while the other can accommodate the other four.)

“Para maririnig mo talaga… dun mo makikita kung ano ang laman ng sinasabi at kung merong magandang gagawin para sa bansa yung mga kandidato at hindi basta sigaw lang nang sigaw,” he added.

(So you can really hear… you can see the essence of what they’re saying and if they have something good to contribute to the country and they’re not just all screams.)

The Comelec has set its presidential debate on March 19 while its vice presidential debate is scheduled on March 20.

Over the weekend, Lacson and Sotto joined fellow contenders during the CNN Philippines’ presidential and vice presidential debates, respectively.

When asked about their performance in the debates, Lacson gestured two thumbs up. “Above the rest,” he added.

Sotto, for his part, said he could have said more if given enough time. “Meron lang akong hindi naihabol na gusto kong sabihin [I just have some things I wanted to say that I wasn’t able to],” he said.

EDV