No explanation yet from Impact Hub on debate mess — Comelec

(FILE) AGAIN, JUST 9 OUT OF THE 10 Saturday’s presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections leaves one podium empty, but this did not prevent the participants from tackling the tax issue hounding the absent candidate. (See story on A2) —RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has yet to receive an explanation from Impact Hub regarding the failure to push through with the town hall debates for presidential and vice presidential candidates, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said Thursday.

Impact Hub is Comelec’s partner in the presidential and vice presidential debates.

“Ngayon po, hanggang sa kasalukuyan wala naman po kaming natatanggap pa na kahit na anong paliwanag o kahit na anong sulat mula po sa ating contractor. Naghihintay nga rin po kami ng sulat kung anuman para lang kahit paano ay mayroon silang masasabi,” Garcia said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(Currently, we have not received any explanation or any letter from our contractor. We are waiting so that they can say their side.)

“Tungkol naman po sa kung sila ay napadalhan ni Commissioner Rey Bulay ng Comelec ng karampatang sulat upang magpaliwanag, iyan po aalamin po natin iyan,” he added.

(Whether they were given a letter to explain from Commissioner Rey Bulay, we will look into that.)

The Comelec’s town hall debates on April 23 and 24 did not push through after Impact Hub failed to fully pay Sofitel, the venue of the debates.

Instead, the town hall debates will be replaced with a panel interview called the PiliPinas Forum.

The PiliPinas Forum, in partnership with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, will be aired from May 2 to 6.

Garcia earlier said that Bulay may complete the investigation on the matter by Friday, April 29.

/MUF