Bongbong Marcos to skip Comelec’s panel interview

(FILE) MANILA ON HIS MIND Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. takes the stage at Saturday night’s rally in Manila’s Sampaloc district. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will not participate in the Commission of Elections’ (Comelec) panel interview ahead of the May 9 polls, his spokesperson announced Thursday.

Marcos’ spokesperson Atty. Vic Rodriguez said the presidential candidate chose to end his election campaign with visits to his supporters through town hall meetings and political rallies.

Rodriguez said Marcos, nonetheless, “acknowledges” the importance of attending the Comelec’s event.

“With less than two weeks before the May 9 elections, frontrunner Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. has decided to forego his participation in the Comelec’s presidential panel interview which was scheduled on May 1, 2022,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

“Marcos Jr. extends his appreciation to the poll body for its gracious invitation, as he acknowledges the importance of joining in such an important event. He opted, however, to conclude the entire 90-day campaign period with visits to his supporters and compliances with previous commitments for political events, like town hall meetings and political rallies,” he added.

The Comelec has scratched its initial plan of holding another town hall debate for presidential and vice presidential candidates and instead opted to hold a panel interview.

According to Comelec Commissioner George Garcia, all candidates will be entitled to a one-hour panel interview. It will be pre-taped and will air from May 2 to 6.

Marcos skipped all the presidential debates organized by the Comelec.

/MUF