The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing a resolution that would obligate candidates to attend debates, which would help voters make informed choices for the upcoming 2025 elections.
In previous elections, candidates—particularly those leading in pre-election surveys—have occasionally skipped televised debates to avoid jeopardizing their chances of victory.
“Kinakailangang susunod sila sa patakaran ng Comelec and kung in-endorse namin ang isang debate, pwede namin silang i-compel na um-attend dun sa mga debate na iyun because sa aking paniniwala, iyan ay regulasyon ng Comelec,” Comelec chairman George ERwin Garcia said.
The Comelec has previously stated that they would push for a law that would automatically disqualify a candidate should they refuse or skip a debate.
“Kukumbinsihin po natin ang ating kagalang-galang na Kongreso na sana po ay ilagay na po talaga na requirement na a-attend lahat ng magiging kandidato, lokal man at nasyonal, sa mga ipapatawag na debate ng Commission on Election,” Garcia said.
“Kung hindi, puwede siyang maging ground ng disqualification. At the same time, puwedeng maging ground ng election offense,” he added.
The Comelec mentioned that it is highly unlikely they would host the upcoming election debates themselves but encourages media outlets to take on the role of hosting debates for this year’s election candidates.
“Ang nangyari nung 2022, Comelec ang mismong nag-sponsor ng debate. Hindi tama iyun, contrary yun sa batas. Kaya ngayon ay in-e-engganyo namin ang mga istasyon ng radyo, ng TV na gustong magpa-debate, kami ay magbibigay ng go signal,” he said.
