The Commission on Election (Comelec) is looking to hold “hybrid debates” for candidates running in the 2022 elections.
In an online press briefing on Friday, Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo disclosed they are considering this to prevent Covid infections.
Among the options they are considering, the poll official said, is to make the candidates still be physically present in the venue of the debate but viewers can only watch online.
Another option, is to have the candidates and audience participate via online platforms.
“As I have said earlier on Monday we will be having our three-in-one conference with regards to this new normal,” Casquejo said.
“Definitely there will be a Presidential debate, but we will still discuss how it will be held,” he added.
Comelec issued the statement since the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) is still imposing restrictions on mass gatherings amid the ongoing pandemic.
To recall, in the previous presidential elections in 2016, Comelec organized several live debates for presidential candidates in front of live audience.
Image credits: AP/Bullit Marquez