COMELEC spokesperson James Jimenez said candidates for president and vice president are not required to participate in the poll body’s debates. Citing the law, he said participation in Comelec-organized debates is not compulsory but that candidates traditionally participated in them for “airtime.”
While Comelec may view the debates as “an optional broadcasting opportunity” for candidates, they are actually a vital component of voter education and essential to providing equal opportunities to candidates. Debates allow voters a crucial opportunity to know and examine the aspirants’ qualifications, track records, platforms, and positions on issues of national concern. In fact, there should be more presidential and vice presidential debates to give all candidates equal opportunity and an equal playing field to talk to voters.
While debates are not the sole basis for deciding on the right candidate, Comelec should not diminish their crucial role. Voters will pick the best candidates based on all information. The person who will be the President does not have to be the best debater, but let us look at the sense of their ideas and visions and the way they communicate. So instead of diminishing their importance, the Comelec should increase the number of debates from the current three to 15 weekly one-one-one debates among the six leading presidential candidates on a round-robin basis.
We keep telling people to be objective, to stick to the facts, and not to let emotions get in the way. But we’re not giving them the venue to do that. Instead of discourse, candidates are out campaigning and getting as many followers as they can. We’re not giving the public the venue to see the candidates side by side. Debates can help people form a more complete picture of who the candidates are and what they stand for.
The lives and livelihoods of Filipinos are at stake. The electorate needs to choose the right leaders not just for president and vice president but also for senators. To do so they need the opportunity to know and understand the platforms of candidates.
