Comelec eyes debates among local candidates

MANILA, Philippines - Aside from the plan to hold debates among presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2016 polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now considering the proposal to initiate debates for local bets also.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said the poll body intends to provide a venue for local candidates to inform the voters of their platform of government.

“We want these debates to be replicated in the local level,” Bautista disclosed.

Bautista said the commission is set to issue an order to local Comelec officials to work with their respective local media organizations and civil society to set the debates.

“We will be encouraging the local Comelec offices to hold similar debates on the provincial, city, and municipal level in partnership with the local media as well as with civil society groups,” Bautista said.

The Comelec earlier held a meeting with executives of different media organizations for the holding of presidential and vice presidential debates.

Bautista, however, stressed that the presidential and vice presidential debates are not mandatory for candidates.

The proposed presidential debates would be held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao early next year while the vice presidential debate is set to be held in Metro Manila in April.