6 presidential, 4 vice presidential bets to join Comelec pre-taped interviews

FILE PHOTO: Comelec Commissioner George Garcia. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Six presidential and four vice-presidential candidates have confirmed their participation in the pre-taped, hour-long interviews that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would undertake in lieu of the postponed final debate.

The last installment of the poll body’s “PiliPinas Debates 2022” has been called off eventually amid the reported failure to settle obligations with the hotel that hosted the two previous debates.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia announced Friday that presidential candidates Ernesto Abella, Leody de Guzman, Norberto Gonzales, Faisal Mangondato, Jose Montemayor Jr., and Senator Manny Pacquiao have confirmed their participation in the interviews.

Presidential bets Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo have decided not to join while Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Senator Ping Lacson have yet to confirm their attendance.

Garcia also said that vice-presidential candidates Rizalito David, Manny Lopez, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, and Atty. Carlos Serapio have likewise confirmed their participation in the interviews.

Other vice presidential bets, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Dr. Willie Ong, Rep. Lito Atienza, former Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello, and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, have yet to confirm their presence in the interviews, according to the Comelec official.

The third PiliPinas Debates 2022 was initially rescheduled for April 30 and May 1, but the Comelec has since decided to replace the debate with pre-taped, hour-long panel interviews of the candidates which will be aired from May 2-6.

Election Day would be on May 9.

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