The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced Monday that it would punish those who do not participate in the presidential and vice-presidential debates they are organizing.
According to Comelec acting Chairperson Soccoro Inting, the candidate will no longer be able to use the commission’s online campaign rally platform if they refuse to attend the debate.
“I hope all the candidates will participate in the debates sponsored by the Comelec. One who refuses or skips the debate will not be allowed to join the e-rallies,” said Inting.
“One of the agreements is that if they skip the debates, then they will not be able to air their e-rallies on our e-rally platform,” Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said.
Here are the scheduled debates of the Comelec:
• Marso 19 – 1st presidential debate
• Marso 20 – 1st vice presidential debate
• Abril 3 – 2nd presidential debate
• Abril 23 – 1st vice-presidential town hall debate
• Abril 24 – Presidential town hall debate
The Comelec and the candidates’ camp will meet again this week in connection with attending the debates.
The Comelec explained that everyone could submit a question, but there is no guarantee that the question will be used.
He said the Comelec would filter the questions and ask questions on the day of the debate.
The non-disclosure agreement will also be signed by those who filter the question because it is forbidden to give questions in advance.
Comelec to penalize presidential, VP candidates who will skip debates
He said the candidates would only be given general topics before the debate.
Different topics will also be thrown in each debate to focus on each issue.
Meanwhile, the Comelec will allegedly challenge the Supreme Court the agreement it signed with the news website Rappler, which was questioned by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).
He said the commission would follow the court’s ruling.
“Answer the petition and defend the [memorandum of agreement] that we signed with Rappler. Whatever decision the court will render we will abide by it,” said Inting.
OSG formally filed a complaint against the agreement in the Supreme Court this Monday.
According to OSG, the agreement should be scrapped. After all, it will allow foreigners to interfere and interfere in the election because it will give Rappler the power to spread fake news on social media.
He said non-Filipinos would also have access to confidential data.
OSG also asserted that Rappler’s license had previously been revoked because some foreigners allegedly had an investment in the news outfit, something that Rappler is still fighting in court.
So far, the Comelec has not seen the OSG complaint.
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