PRESIDENTIAL and vice presidential candidates for the May 2022 elections are set to face off in a series of debates at least three times each, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
In a television interview, Elections spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body is looking at three debates for presidential candidates and three debates for contenders to the second highest elective seat in the country.
“We are hoping to expand the number of vice presidential debates seeing how they are elected independently of the president. They deserve their own debate series,” said Jimenez.
In the 2016 elections, three presidential debates were held, while vice presidential bets faced off only once.
Jimenez clarified that the debates will be held online only for the supporters and the public, but candidates will be debating face-to-face.
“The candidates will be in the same place. They will be debating in person, but the audience will be virtual,” he said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who has filed his certificate of candidacy for president, said he prefers a face-to-face debate among presidential candidates but will settle with the hybrid type.
“Physical engagement strikes a difference in a debate which the Filipino people is looking forward so they can thoroughly choose who to vote for. We can also see during in-person debates the demeanor of a candidate,” Lacson said.
He rejected the idea of holding the debates virtually as he noted poor internet connection throughout the country. “At least hybrid, not virtual. Our experiences in our Senate hearings and even sessions tell us that there are many limitations not to mention technical issues if the debates will be virtual or online,” he said.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who is Lacson’s running mate, said he was okay with hybrid debates on the condition that the candidates are on-site.
“It’s useless if the candidates will also attend the debate virtually. Their respective staff members will only give answers to them on the questions and debate points to be asked.
The people will not witness the true mettle of the candidates,” Sotto said.
Jimenez, at the same time, said the Comelec will be regulating the number of people who will be allowed to attend campaign rallies during the campaign period depending on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) status in the area.
“It is likely going to be determined in large part by the alert level in that particular place,” he said.
The campaign period for national candidates will start on February 8, 2022, while local bets will begin theirs on March 25, 2022.
VOTE BUYING?
Jimenez said the Comelec cannot just yet stop or sanction presidential candidate Sen. Manny Pacquiao from distributing cash to the public as such act is still not considered as “vote-buying.”
“We see something wrong with that, obviously, in the sense that we know that it’s going to impact how people think about the elections, how people are going to decide. But, under the law, there is nothing we can do about it because it is still not against the law. It is not yet considered vote buying,” Jimenez said.
He said, though, that the case would be different if the cash distribution happened during the campaign period. “If they do it then, then that would be vote buying, absolutely,” he said.
The Poll Automation law provides that “any person who files his certificate of candidacy shall only be considered as a candidate at the start of the campaign period”, and that “unlawful acts applicable to a candidate shall be in effect only upon the start of the campaign period”.
Jimenez admitted that proving vote-buying incidents are difficult to prove in court.
“If they give out money during the campaign period, that will really be considered as vote buying in plain view. But it will have to be proven. It has to go through due process so we will see the defenses of the candidates,” said Jimenez.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, it is considered as an election offense for any person to give, offer, or promise money or anything of value in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate.
Jimenez’s statement comes on the heels of Pacquiao visiting different parts of the country and giving out money to those that attended his event.
According to Pacquiao, his cash distribution is a “habit” and cannot be considered as vote buying as he has been doing this since 2002.
NUISANCE BETS
Jimenez yesterday also said that the poll body supports proposals to slap fines against individuals who will be declared as nuisance candidates during poll exercises.
“The Comelec is in favor of it because that will essentially be a warning of sort against the people who intend to play around the system,” said Jimenez. “We think it is a good idea because it is essentially a warning against wrongdoing,” he added.
The poll official said the move will make aspirants hesitate in filing their COCs in bad faith.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, the Commission may refuse to give due course to or cancel a certificate of candidacy if it is shown that said COC has been filed to put the election process in mockery or disrepute, or to cause confusion among the voters by the similarity of the names of the registered candidates, or by other circumstances or acts which clearly demonstrate that the candidate has no bona fide intention to run for the office.
Under the proposed law, there will be a P100,000 penalty that will be slapped against anyone, who will be found to be a nuisance candidate. — With Raymond Africa
