FORMER Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Tuesday to require all national candidates to participate in a series of debates in all regions of the country in the coming elections, to give voters enough information on the qualities and platform of the candidates.
Gordon, in a press statement, said the Comelec can make use of the University of the Philippines school system and other state colleges and universities to host these events. Comelec can also ask law schools and other academic sectors, the judiciary, and sociocivic organizations to help set up and administer the debates so that the candidates can constructively engage with each other and the people.
The media would cover these events, while airtime for nationwide coverage can be paid either by the government, by the candidates and their political parties, or by civic-minded individuals and corporations who wish to heighten the political maturity of Filipinos.
He said the series of debates would reveal the candidates’ background, capabilities, views and action plan on national and local issues.
“I believe this debate series would be the true litmus test of the candidates’ capabilities so that voters can choose on a more informed basis, rather than being unduly influenced by the quality and quantity of the candidates’ political propaganda,” Gordon said.