Grace Poe, Rodrigo Duterte confirm attendance in Comelec debates

Even with pending petitions filed against their respective presidential candidacies, both Senator Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte have sent word that they will participate in the debates in the run-up to the elections in May.

Their representatives had previously said they would "highly recommend" to Poe and Duterte for them to attend, but could not give a definite word, given that the two were facing four petitions each to have their certificates of candidacy cancelled.

Three other presidential candidates earlier confirmed their attendance, including Vice President Jejomar Binay, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, and OFW Family party-list Representative Roy Señeres.

A representative for Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said the lawmaker was "interested" to join the debates, but would have to first look into the details.

At a meeting at the Commission on Elections main office on Friday morning, Poe's lawyer George Garcia said the senator "confirms attendance" to the debate on Feb. 21.

"Definitely Senator Grace Poe will attend the debate," Garcia told reporters after the meeting, adding that she would also attend the other two debates in Cebu and Pangasinan.

"Actually sa previous meeting, nag-confirm na rin kami, pero siyempre may mga agam-agam sa kinahaharap namin. But regardless of the case, whether the case is still pending or not, that doesn't matter. We will definitely be there," he said.

Poe's name currently stays in the list that will likely make it in the ballot, with a temporary restraining order against two rulings to cancel her COC.

Oral arguments are ongoing at the Supreme Court, with the fourth round scheduled on Feb. 9, a day after the printing of ballots will begin.

Duterte had said he would only attend the debates if he was officially declared a candidate.

The mayor on Friday told GMA's guest coordinator for the debate that he would attend, program manager Angeli Atienza said.

The Comelec First Division on Thursday dismissed a total of four petitions against his candidacy.

Broadcaster Ruben Castor, one of the petitioners, had filed his motion for reconsideration, while Rizalito David and John Paulo delas Nieves also said they intend to appeal the decision before the poll body's en banc.

At Friday's meeting, Comelec chair Andres Bautista said they plan to hold a "virtual" signing for candidates will sign a memorandum of agreement simultaneously, "wherever they may be" that day.

The first round will be staged by GMA and the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Feb. 21 at Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City.

The other debate schedules are as follows:
* 2nd round, March 20: University of the Philippines-Cebu (TV5 and Philippine Star)
* 3rd round, April 24: University of Pangasinan (ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin)

Comelec will also host one vice presidential debate on April 10, to be organized by CNN Philippines, BusinessMirror, and Rappler.

All the debates will be held on a Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. -NB, GMA News