Comelec sets presidential debate on March 19, all 10 prexy bets to attend

The Commission on Elections has set the presidential debate on March 19 and all the 10 candidates have confirmed their attendance, poll body spokesperson James Jimenez said Thursday.

The presidential candidates for the May 9 polls are former presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, Leody de Guzman, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, former Defense chief Norberto Gonzales, Senator Ping Lacson, Faisal Mangondato, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Jose Montemayor Jr., Senator Manny Pacquiao, and Vice President Leni Robredo.

Jimenez made clear to the candidates that no advanced questions will be given and that they will not be allowed to bring anything to the podium. @gmanews #Eleksyon2022

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) February 24, 2022

Jimenez said candidates will not be given questions in advance and will not be allowed to bring anything to the podium.

He added there will be three debates to be sponsored by the Comelec.

Jimenez earlier said the law does not require candidates' participation in public debates, and that the poll body cannot oblige the candidates to show up.

However, the Comelec will “make a big deal” out of the absence of a candidate and will leave the podium assigned to him or her empty to highlight it.

He also said the decision of certain aspirants to skip various pre-election forums may be a "red flag" for voters.

The campaign period for Eleksyon 2022 candidates running for national positions officially started on February 8 amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.—AOL, GMA News