Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. is ready to join the presidential debate being organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) next month, although he is “unsure” if he will be able to attend the event.
Marcos’ Chief of Staff and spokesperson Victor “Vic” Rodriguez issued the statement after the poll body announced last Thursday that all of the 10 presidential candidates have confirmed they will be attending the debate.
“Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard-bearer Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. has not yet confirmed his participation in the Comelec-sponsored debate, which was scheduled from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 19, 2022,” Rodriguez said in a brief statement.
“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,” he added.
Readiness
Prior to the said pronouncement, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez already announced that Marcos would be participating in their debate.
“The debates are definitely on. The date that we’re looking at for the first presidential debate is on March 19, which is a Saturday. And thus far, we have commitments from all campaigns that their candidates will be joining us,” Jimenez told reporters in an ambush interview.
In his Twitter account, the poll official even posted a copy of the letter from Marcos’ National Campaign Manager Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., which said the former senator “expressed readiness” to join the debate.
“If more confirmation is needed, the Comelec awaits the same with bated breath. Nevertheless, preparations for the #PiliPinas Debates2022 push through,” Jimenez said.
Rodriguez, however, clarified that such readiness is not tantamount to a commitment of attendance to the debate.
To note, Marcos was unable to join in the presidential debates organized by GMA News, and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), but he was able to attend a similar event organized by Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
Debate format
Jimenez said the format of the debate would have a single moderator, who will be asking questions to each of the participants.
He noted each of the presidential candidates would only be given the “general topics” which will be tackled in the debate, but not the specific questions.
“One other particularly worthy rule is that we will not allow candidates to bring anything on stage. We will provide them with a pad and a pen on the podium, but they will not be able to bring notes to the debate,” Jimenez said.
He said the presidential debate will be held on March 19, 2022 and to be followed by the vice presidential debate on March 20, 2022.
The poll official said all of the nine vice presidential candidates, except Buhay Party-list Rep. Jose “Lito” L. Atienza Jr., who will be undergoing surgery, confirmed their attendance in the event. Samuel P. Medenilla