Sara not attending CNN, Comelec debates

MANILA, Philippines — Vice Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is not attending the debates organized by CNN Philippines and the Commission on Elections (Comelec), her spokesperson said yesterday.

Duterte and running mate for president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be skipping the CNN debates this weekend. The vice presidential debates are slated today and that for presidential candidates tomorrow.

Mayor Christina Frasco of Laloan, Cebu also denied the announcement made by Comelec spokesman James Jimenez that included Duterte-Carpio as among the candidates participating in the vice presidential debate on March 20.

Frasco said that Mayor Duterte has not even received an invitation from the Comelec, amid its “public announcement of her confirmation to attend the event.”?“Be that as it may, whether or not there is an invitation, Sara Duterte will not be attending the debate,” Frasco stressed.

Jimenez had announced that all vice presidential candidates – except for Deputy Speaker and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza who is due for surgery on March 20 – have confirmed participation in the Comelec debate.

Marcos also denied confirming participation in the Comelec’s presidential debate scheduled on March 19.

The denial was issued by Marcos’ camp after Jimenez announced that all 10 candidates for president would join the first of its Halalan 2022 debates.

Victor Rodriguez, Marcos’ spokesman, said they have not yet confirmed the former senator’s attendance in the event.

“His participation in the said event, which will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan will only be confirmed if his hectic campaign schedules permit,” Rodriguez said in a statement.