QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has expressed willingness to hold election debates again prior to the upcoming May 2025 midterm elections.
Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia emphasized that these debates should be organized by media organizations, with the commission playing a supervisory role.
“In accordance with Republic Act 9006, which governs fair elections, it is essential that media entities manage these debates. Our role will be to supervise and coordinate with the candidates,” Garcia said in an interview on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Garcia highlighted the importance of these debates for voters, suggesting that they provide a crucial platform for candidates to present their platforms, discuss key issues, and share their principles with the electorate.
The decision to bring back the debates follows the commission’s experience during the 2022 elections, when the last two of a planned series of five debates for presidential and vice-presidential candidates were canceled.
This cancellation was attributed to financial difficulties faced by Impact Hub Manila, the private partner responsible for organizing the events, in relation to the venue at Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
Comelec said its renewed openness to debates is aimed at fostering informed voter engagement in the lead-up to the elections. (AVS/PIA-NCR)
