Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – After more than two decades since the last public debate for presidential candidates was held, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) again plans to hold debates among presidential and vice presidential candidates for 2016 elections.
The poll body announced on Monday (September 21) that it has met with executives from television, print and multimedia news organizations, as well as with universities that can possibly host the event.
So far only Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas, and independent presidential hopeful Sen. Grace Poe have formally declared their intention to run for president in 2016.
While Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, also an independent, was the only one to have formally announced his bid for the vice presidency.
Comelec chairman Andres Bautista said possible contenders have so far been receptive to the idea.
“We want to assist the voters in making informed choices during Election Day. We want to veer away from personality politics and move towards politics that is based on substantive issues and public policy pronouncements,” said Bautista.
Bautista clarified though, the candidates can choose not to attend the debates. But he thinks that this would send a “clear message” to the voters.
“It will provide a mechanism for exacting accountability among elected officials with regard to their campaign promises,” Bautista added.
Candidates for the top positions in the land shall discuss issues on poverty reduction, peace and order, health care, tax reform, education, national defense, economy, and corruption among others.
There will be three presidential debates: One in Mindanao in February, another in the Visayas in March, and the last in Luzon in April.
CNN Philippines – in partnership with Business Mirror – will organize the vice presidential debate which will take place in Metro Manila also in April.
Each debate will be broadcast live on a Saturday night, across all national TV networks.
