Comelec won’t hold one-on-one presidential debates — commissioner

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not inclined to conduct one-on-one debates between presidential candidates, saying this format is unfair to other candidates since they might be deprived of equal time and platforms to bare their programs, a poll body official said Monday.

Comelec commissioner George Garcia said that holding one-on-one debates could mean that the poll body is choosing which candidates will have the chance to speak to the public about their platforms.

“Kapag nag-one-on-one debate, unfair naman sa ibang mga kandidato, para tayong nagdi-discriminate. Lahat ng kandidato ay may equal chance na mabigyan ng kanilang entablado at kanilang panahon,” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(If we hold one-on-one debates, it would be unfair to other candidates because we may be discriminating against them. All candidates must have an equal chance to have their own stage and time.)

“Kami ay Comelec, we should be impartial, neutral lalung lalo na sa halalaan. ‘Pag tayo ay nag-require ng one-on-one lang, parang pinili na natin, ‘ito, ito yata ‘yung mga mananaig.’ Hindi dapat ganun,” Garcia added.

(We are the Comelec, we should be impartial and neutral especially during elections. If we require one-on-one debates, it seems that we have only chosen those who can take the stage. That shouldn’t be like that.)

Garcia said all candidates “deserves their chance to explain their sides of issues.”

He said media networks may conduct one-on-one debates, but the Comelec will “definitely” not do it.

“Definitely, ang Comelec hindi gagawin ‘yan [one-on-one debate]. Definitely, kung magde-debate tayo, lahat ng gustong mag-participate, welcome sa ating kandidato. Maaaring marami sila pero ganun talaga ‘yan. Mas marami, mas maraming pagpipilian ang ating kababayan,” the poll commissioner said.

(Definitely, the Comelec will not do that. If we will hold a debate, we want everyone to participate, all are welcome. They may be plenty but it only means that the voters will have more choices.)

The Comelec will hold another presidential debate on April 3.

READ: Comelec bares debate details

It was presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao who floated the idea of holding one-on-one debates.

He challenged his opponent former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to a debate after the latter’s absence at the Comelec-sponsored presidential debate last March 19.

READ: Pacquiao dares Marcos to one-on-one debate: Baka nahihiya siya ‘pag marami uma-attend

Marcos has likewise declined to attend presidential debates hosted by major media networks, including  the presidential interview with veteran journalist Jessica Soho, the presidential forum hosted by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), and the debate hosted by CNN Philippines.

He, however, attended the debates hosted by SMNI, a media network run by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who has openly given his support for Marcos’ presidential candidacy and his running mate’s vice presidential bid.

Other presidential candidates—Senator Panfilo Lacson, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, Senator Manny Pacquiao, and Vice President Leni Robredo—did not attend the SMNI debates.

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