Poll exec to Congress: Pass law requiring presidential debate, penalizing skippers

Commission on Elections Commissioner George Garcia. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Garcia appealed to Congress on Thursday to come up with a new law mandating presidential debates and penalizing those who will refuse to attend the event.

“Kaya nga patuloy tayo nananawagan sa atin pong kagalang-galang na Kongreso. After this election baka po pwede makapagpasa na tayo ng batas na magkakaroon talaga ng presidential debate sa lahat ng election natin. At the same time, ano ‘yung mga guidelines, ano ‘yung mga rules?,” Garcia said in a press briefing.

(We continue to appeal to our respected Congress. After this election, maybe we can pass a measure that there will be presidential debates in our elections. At the same time, what are the guidelines and rules?)

“At the same time, ano ‘yung punishment na sanction? Disqualification ba? Election offense ba? Para po mas maganda malinaw. Kasi po kung Comelec ang maggagawa nu’n, that would be unconstitutional because that is legislation,” he continued.

(At the same time, what are the punishments or sanctions? Is it a disqualification or election offense? It would be better if it was clear. Because if the Comelec would do that, that would be unconstitutional because that is legislation.)

According to Garcia, the poll body is still looking into sanctions that could be imposed on those who skip debates.

Currently, those who refuse to attend Comelec-organized debates will be prohibited to air their electronic rally on the commission’s platform.

“‘Yun po ang pinakamahirap, walang batas. Therefore, kung ano man ‘yung sanction na i-impose namin may be questioned as being unconstitutional,” said Garcia.

(That is the hardest part, there is no law. Therefore, whatever sanction we impose may be questioned as being unconstitutional.)

The commissioner further said that they tapped their law department and education information department to help them in finding other sanctions that could be implemented.

The Comelec held its first presidential debate for 2022 candidates on March 19. Of the 10 bets, only former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declined to attend the event.

The second presidential debate is scheduled on April 3.

JPV