AN election watchdog said it will support pending legislation requiring candidates to participate in debates to be organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) said it is endorsing House Bill 8549, which will make it mandatory for national and local candidates to participate in such debates.
“This will elevate the election campaign to focus on issues and solutions as articulated by the candidates themselves, which allows the voters to assess performance and demand accountability once they are elected to a public position,” Namfrel Secretary-General Eric Jude O. Alvia said.
Alvia, however, expressed his reservations over the bills’ proposed disqualification for candidates which will not comply with its provisions.
“If made mandatory, disqualification may be a necessary but harsh penalty,” Alvia said.
He noted a hefty fine would be a suitable sanction for noncompliant candidates.
Comelec Spokesman James B. Jimenez said they have no problem in organizing debates “since it provides a good venue for voters to listen to platforms and positions each candidate.”
But, he noted such debates are only feasible for certain positions with a manageable number of candidates, usually for presidential and vice presidential aspirants.
Jimenez said positions with more than 20 candidates, like in a Senatorial race, may render the activity cumbersome and impractical.