Senate Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III speak with reporters in a press conference in Tarlac City on Monday, April 25, 2022. Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureai
TARLAC CITY — The tandem of Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III will “find time” to attend the panel interview to be conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in place of a debate.
“Basta’t taped as live, walang editing, game kami,” Lacson told reporters in a press conference here on Monday.
(As long as it is taped as live, no editing. We’ll do it.)
“Mahirap yung may editing, walang control. Maya maya yung mas magandang sinabi yun ang na-edit [out]. Tapos yung hindi masyadong maganda, yun ang nai-air. Kaya kami mas gusto namin talaga, live. If not live, at least taped as live,” he added.
(It’s hard if there’s editing. We have no control. What if the good quotes get edited out. And then those which are not so good re aired. That’s why we really want it live, at least taped as live.)
Sotto echoed Lacson’s sentiments.
“Dapat [It should be] taped as live, one hour,” the Senate president said.
Both were asked regarding Comelec’s announcement that it will hold a panel interview for presidential and vice presidential candidates instead of a town hall debate.
The Comelec rescheduled the last leg of the debates, which prompted some candidates, including Lacson and Sotto, to doubt if they will be able to attend due to conflicting schedules.
“In consideration of the inevitable scheduling conflicts as the candidates approach the homestretch of the campaign period, and as advised by the KBP, the COMELEC will now be adopting a Single Candidate/Team – Panel Interview format,” Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said.
Sotto said Comelec’s decision to adjust to the candidates’ schedule was a “very good” and “laudable” move.
Lacson likewise welcomed the poll body’s decision.
“Very feasable…kasi nga at least makaka-adjust kami [because we can at least adjust],” the presidential bet said.
“Importante pa rin…lalo na kung lahat maga-attend kasi magkakaroon ng basis to compare, yung mga platforms, programs, yung track record and everything else,” Lacson said.
(It’s still important, especially if all candidates are able to attend, there will be a basis to compare platforms, programs, track record and everything else.)
Sotto, for his part, said: “Very important because that will give us a chance to express or tell the people what our programs and platforms are, what we stand for. “
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