Zarate dares Comelec: Penalize debate skippers now

PAMPANGA — Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate on Monday challenged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to penalize presidential and vice presidential candidates who continue to skip debates organized by the poll body.

“As a constitutionally constituted body, we submit that it is empowered to penalize these debate skippers who are openly defying the Comelec's processes. We make this challenge to the Comelec: just penalize them now," Zarate said in a statement.

The progressive lawmaker also said the Bayan Muna is “seriously studying” the filing of a measure which aims to categorically disallow, penalize, and/or disqualify candidates who skip debates mandated by the Comelec.

“In this proposed bill, we may also include as ground for disqualification those aspiring candidates or candidates with final conviction for non-payment of taxes and the non-filing of the mandated income tax return (ITR) and the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN)," said Zarate.

To recall, both presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte refused to join the Comelec-sponsored debates.

Both have said that they prefer to campaign instead of joining the debates.

Earlier, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia appealed to Congress to pass a measure, which will require presidential debates and penalize those who will not attend those events. — BM, GMA News