Comelec Says Candidates Avoiding Debates Can Be “Red Flag” to the Public
The Commission on Election (Comelec) claimed that candidates who are avoiding debates and interviews can be “red flag” to the voters.
Voters will be put off by a candidate who refuses to engage in forums and debates. Although the Comelec has no influence over the candidates’ actions, resistance to debates is a red signal’ to voters, according to Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez.
“It could be a red flag for the voters. Absolutely, not for the Comelec. Comelec does not care either way if they come or not,” Jimenez said.
“Ultimately, what Comelec cares about is whether or not the public will have an opportunity to interrogate the candidate, so to speak, to interrogate their positions, to interrogate their beliefs and so on,” said the Comelec spokesperson.
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Even if a candidate does not show up for the debate, the Comelec will not take away the podium. It won’t be brushed over, Jimenez said, and it won’t be disregarded.
“It’s not going to be glossed over, it’s not going to be ignored, there’s gonna have a podium right there, with their name on it and no face above it,” the Comelec official said.
The remark was delivered after presidential contender and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr was chastised by the internet community once again for declining to participate in the Kagawaran ng mga Broadcasters ng Pilipinas presidential debate (KBP). Herman Basbao, head of the Philippine Broadcasters Association, reported that six presidential hopefuls were invited.
The Marcos campaign, on the other hand, sent a letter saying that it would be unable to participate owing to a “schedule conflict.” The KBP discussion would be hosted by ABS-CBN journalist Karen Davila and CNN Philippines journalist Rico Hizon.
Marcos also declined to appear on January 22 for “The Jessica Soho Presidential Interview,” claiming that Jessica Soho was “biased” against the Marcoses, according to his aides. He was also meant to give a live interview with DZBB on January 28, but he couldn’t since he was in Davao and couldn’t connect online.
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