MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has rejected the request of senatorial candidates of opposition party Otso Diretso to debate with their rivals from the administration’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), an official said yesterday.
In a statement, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez explained that the poll body denied the request to arrange the debate on Feb. 27 for “three reasons.”
“Granting Otso Diretso’s request would be tantamount to giving preferential treatment to some senatorial candidates or slates,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez also said time constraints prevent the holding of the debate, considering that the midterm polls will be on May 13.
Otso Diretso or Straight Eight candidates lamented yesterday the decision of the Comelec, calling it a “disservice” to the Filipino people.
“The decision of the Comelec is very unfortunate and the biggest loser in this case are the Filipino people, especially those who will vote on May 13,” Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc said.
“Even with this setback, I ask all the candidates, including those from the administration, to agree to push through with the debate and agree on an independent third party to undertake the event,” she added.
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal requested the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting to come up with the debate’s guidelines instead.
“We did not ask the Comelec to conduct the debate. We merely asked the Comelec to officiate the debate between Otso Diretso and (HNP) candidates,” he said.
Former solicitor general Florin Hilbay said the responsibility of the Comelec is not limited to election day.
Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino, former Quezon representative Erin Tañada and Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said the debate would be for the full education of voters on the qualifications of those who intend to serve the country.
“Any debate is a form of voter education, which is the mandate of the Comelec,” Alejano said.
Aquino stressed that the voters are the real winners in the debate as they would come up with an informed choice in May.
Campaign trail
Re-electionist Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said he respected the decision of the Comelec.
Pimentel, who was in Negros Occidental yesterday for a campaign sortie, said the HNP candidates will focus on explaining their platform of government to the public.
“Keep busy in the meantime. Organize rallies or go to market tours and other pulong-pulong or informal dialogue so that your message may be brought to the people,” Pimentel told Otso Diretso candidates.
Former special assistant to the president Christopher Go echoed Pimentel’s sentiments, while he denied allegations by election watchdog Kontra Daya that he was using government funds for his senatorial bid. –
source: philstar.com
Comments
