Comelec wants debates for all bets in 2016 polls

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is pushing for the conduct of debates for all candidates in the 2016 polls, from president down to local government officials.

During yesterday’s hearing on the proposed P15.6-billion budget of the Comelec for 2016, Sen. Loren Legarda, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, said the voters deserve to know the candidates’ stand on various issues.

Legarda said holding debates is one of the best ways to bring the platforms of candidates to the electorate.

She said this is less expensive for the candidates to introduce themselves to the voters compared to house-to-house visits during the campaign period.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, who chairs the Senate committee on electoral reforms, supported the initiative.

Pimentel said there are proposed laws to make debates among candidates mandatory.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said they are planning to conduct three debates for the 2016 elections, one each for Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

The Comelec will also push for greater participation of overseas Filipinos in the electoral process.

Senate President Franklin Drilon noted that the turnout of the overseas absentee voting (OAV) in previous elections was low.

Comelec Commissioner Arthur Lim said they are eyeing eight million overseas absentee voters to take part in next year’s polls.

Lim said the Comelec and the Department of Foreign Affairs would be undertaking a campaign dubbed “Akyat Barko” to urge seafarers to register for the 2016 elections.

Under the proposed 2016 Comelec budget, a total of P192 million was allocated for the OAV. With Sheila Crisostomo