Bongbong camp awaits Comelec response on request regarding discussion of debate format

Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benhur Abalos, national campaign manager of presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., said Monday there is no confirmation yet whether the former senator will attend the debate which is being organized by the Commission on Elections.

Abalos told reporters that the poll body has not replied yet to their camp's request to discuss the format of the presidential debate, which will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on March 19.

Abalos was the one who wrote the letter to the Comelec.

"Ako 'yung inutusan ni BBM, ni dating Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as the national campaign manager to write a letter sa lahat ng presidentiable, at sa Comelec, na pagusapan ano ang format ng debate para kasi ginagawa sa ibang bansa, partikular sa America, na lahat ng tatakbo roon sa debate ay talagang nagusap-usap," Abalos said.

(I was instructed by Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as the national campaign manager to write to all presidentiables and to the Comelec, to request for a discussion on the format of the debate like what is being done in other countries such as in America.)

"Unfortunately, hanggang ngayon wala pang sagot sa akin ang Comelec, wala pa and that's on record," Abalos added.

(Unfortunately, there's no response yet from the Comelec.)

He echoed the statement of Marcos' spokesperson, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, that they will have to check first with their schedule if Marcos can attend the Comelec-sponsored debate.

"Dahil nga sumulat kami at wala pa rin namang sagot, sabi niya, tingnan namin sa schedule namin kasi nga nakaschedule na r?n kami... halos nakita niyo, noon isang araw nasa Iloilo, pagkatapos nasa Ilocos, tapos kahapon nasa Pangasinan," Abalos said.

(Because we wrote a letter and there's no response yet, he (Rodriguez) said we will check first with the schedule because we have a prior schedule as well. You've seen that in the past days, we are in Iloilo, Ilocos and in Pangasinan.)

"Minsan killer pace sorties and rallies. Pero be it as it may, may mga issues na pinapasa namin na dapat naman siguro ay liwanagin ng Comelec," he added.

(Sometimes, sorties and rallies were killer-paced. But be it as it may, there were issues that must be clarified by the Comelec.)

GMA News Online has reached out to the Comelec for its comment on the matter but it has yet to reply as of posting time.

Marcos had skipped the presidential interview with GMA Network's veteran journalist Jessica Soho and the forum organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.

He also declined to join the presidential debate organized by CNN Philippines.

Marcos, meanwhile, took part in the presidential debate hosted by Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) on February 15. — RSJ, GMA News