Pacquiao to Comelec: Give candidates enough time to share platforms

Presidential bet Senator Manny Pacquiao on Monday appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to give candidates enough time to discuss their platforms in the concluding event of its PiliPinas Debates.

Pacquiao made the statement after the Comelec announced that the concluding event of its presidential and vice presidential debates will no longer be town hall debates but an interview led by a panel.

“Umaapela ako sa Comelec na sa huling pagkakataon ay mabigyan naman ang mga kandidato ng sapat na oras para mailahad namin ang aming mga  plataporma upang marinig ng publiko,” he said.

(I am appealing to the Comelec that for the last time to give candidates enough time to present our platforms to the public.)

"Sa pamamagitan nito ay mas mabibigyan ng kaalaman ang mga botante para makapagpasya ng tama sa araw ng halalan [Through this, voters would be given more wisdom to vote right on the election day]," he added.

He pointed out that debates had been done many times and candidates already answered personal and national issues.

On Monday, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said the poll body made the adjustment due to "inevitable scheduling conflicts.”

Garcia said the interviews will be aired from May 2 to 6. — BM, GMA News