Palace: Comelec decision to scrap town hall debates ‘unfortunate’

MANILA – Malacañang is saddened by the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) decision to cancel the conduct of the final presidential and vice presidential town hall debates.

Acting presidential spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar described the move as “unfortunate”, stating that debates allow voters to assess potential leaders and their policies.

However, Andanar welcomed the plan to instead hold a panel interview for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

“…The panel interview set by the Comelec, in partnership with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas is a welcome opportunity for candidates to explain their intention and agenda to the Filipino electorate,” he said.

Andanar stated that regardless of platform, there is a need to disseminate political information to the public as this will help them become more aware and engaged citizens in the coming May 9 elections.

“Informing and educating our people on the candidates vying for the presidency and the vice presidency in whatever platform is crucial in a vibrant democracy such as the Philippines. The Filipino people deserve no less,” he added.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia announced on Monday that Comelec will conduct a panel interview for presidential and vice presidential candidates from May 2 to 6 instead of a town hall debate.

The PiliPinas debates were initially set to be conducted on April 30 and May 1 from the original schedule of April 23 and 24.

Some presidential and vice presidential candidates slated to attend the debates originally set on April 23 and 24 were noncommittal following the Comelec’s change of plans.

Misunderstandings between Comelec’s contractor for the debates, Impact Hub Manila, and the management of Sofitel Philippine Plaza were said to have caused postponements and eventually the cancellation of the debates.

The Sofitel management file complaint to Comelec about Impact Hub Manila’s failure to settle venue fees.

Impact Hub Manila failed to pay its PHP14 million debt to Sofitel where the last debates were supposed to be conducted.

Currently, Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay is leading an investigation into the issue.

Garcia stated that if the Comelec finds the contract with Impact Hub Manila to be disadvantageous, the contract may be terminated, the firm may be blacklisted, or a complaint for damages may be filed.

175 Replies to “Palace: Comelec decision to scrap town hall debates ‘unfortunate’

  1. Cheers! I value this.
    how to write an admission essay for graduate school [url=https://freshapps.space]how to write an persuasive essay[/url] consumer reports resume writing services

  2. Amazing tons of valuable material.
    someone to write my essay [url=https://orangepornhub.com]how to write a literary essay[/url] is there a website that writes essays for you

  3. Regards. Useful stuff.
    online canadian discount pharmacy [url=https://northwestpharmacylabs.com]online prescription drugs[/url] drugs from canada with prescription

  4. Superb posts. Cheers!
    walmart online pharmacy [url=https://canadianonlinepharmacybase.com]pharmacy cheap no prescription[/url] order prescriptions online without doctor

  5. Wonderful material. Many thanks!
    how to writing an essay [url=https://dissertationwritingtops.com]https://dissertationwritingtops.com/[/url] law school personal statement writing service

  6. Cheers, I enjoy it!
    mexican pharmacy online medications [url=https://northwestpharmacylabs.com]canada pharmaceutical online ordering[/url] online pharmacy viagra

  7. Appreciate it! Lots of content.
    legit canadian pharmacies [url=https://onlinepharmacycanadahelp.com/]most reliable canadian online pharmacies[/url] synvisc canadian pharmacies

  8. This is nicely expressed! .
    prescription drugs without the prescription [url=https://spharmacymsn.com/]northwest pharmacy canada reviews[/url] canadian pharmacies reviews

  9. You actually explained that fantastically!
    canadian rx pharmacy online [url=https://canadianpharmacylist.com/]internet pharmacy mexico[/url] canadian pharmacy safe

  10. Info very well applied.!
    canadian pharmacies viagra [url=https://edpharmsn.com/]which online canadian pharmacy is legitimate[/url] walgreens store locator 24 hour pharmacy

  11. Good advice. With thanks.
    rx pharmacy online 24 [url=https://northwestpharmacylabs.com/]walmart pharmacy near me[/url] possession of prescription drugs not prescribed to you

  12. Incredible lots of beneficial material!
    pharmacy rx coupons [url=https://canadianpharmacies-24h.com/]mail order drugs without a prescription[/url] domperidone canada drugs

  13. I like the valuable info you provide on your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and test once more here frequently. I am rather certain I will learn a lot of new stuff proper right here! Good luck for the following!
    [url=https://essaywritingservicebbc.com/#]essaywritingservicebbc.com[/url]

  14. Kudos! Ample tips!
    [url=https://argumentativethesis.com/]thesis[/url] a thesis statement [url=https://bestmasterthesiswritingservice.com/]a thesis[/url] thesis statment

  15. Nicely put. With thanks.
    [url=https://ouressays.com/]proposal essay[/url] buy term papers online [url=https://researchpaperwriterservices.com/]research proposals[/url] proposal essay

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *