Candidates who skip Comelec debates cannot air e-rally, poll body says

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential and vice presidential candidates who will skip the debates organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) cannot air their electronic rally (e-rally) on the poll body’s platform, spokesperson James Jimenez said Monday.

He said that the move is a consequence for refusing to attend their debate.

“We do have the e-rally that we allow them to use the platform and one of the agreements is that if they skip the debates, then they will not be able to air their e-rallies on our e-rally platform,” Jimenez said during a memorandum of agreement signing between the Comelec and Vote Pilipinas.

The presidential and vice presidential debates will be held on March 19 and 20, respectively, at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City.

A second presidential debate is slated on April 3.

Earlier, Jimenez said that all 10 presidential bets have signified their intent to join in the first debate.

READ: All presidential bets to attend Comelec debate

However, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that he is still uncertain in his participation as he is “still looking at the format.”

READ: Marcos Jr. still not sure about joining Comelec-initiated presidential debate

The other presidential candidates are:

-former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella

-labor leader Leody de Guzman

-Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno

-former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales

-Senator Panfilo Lacson

-Faisal Mangondato

-Jose Montemayor Jr.

-Senator Manny Pacquiao

-Vice President Leni Robredo

READ: LOOK: Comelec releases ballot face for 2022 elections

Meanwhile, Jimenez previously said that of the nine vice presidential bets, only House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza will skip the debate due to a medical concern.

Marcos’ running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio then said that she is likewise declining the event.

The other vice presidential candidates are:

-former Akbayan Representative Walden Bello

-Rizalito David

-Manny Lopez

-Dr. Willie Ong

-Senator Francis Pangilinan

-Carlos Serapio

-Senate President Vicente Sotto III

Moreover, Town Hall Debates, which will be participated by an audience, will take place on April 23 and 24.

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