Comelec mulls hybrid presidential debate
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is likely to conduct a hybrid presidential debate in 2022 amid Covid-19 health restrictions that include a ban on mass gathering.
“Definitely, there will be a presidential debate. But then again, the question is will it be face-to-face or virtual?” said Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, chairman of the steering committee, in a virtual media conference on Friday.
However, Casquejo said because of the existing health protocols, it would be best “if it is hybrid,” adding it can be done in several ways without violating the health guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
“Candidates may go face-to-face or opt for virtual,” he added.
He said they would take up the matter in a conference scheduled next week to determine the best way to conduct a presidential debate under the new normal.
It can be recalled that the Comelec also administered pilipinas Debates in 2016 with the assistance of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas in preparation then for the presidential and vice-presidential elections.
The debates between presidential and vice-presidential candidates were separately held in several stages across the country in the rundown to the 2016 elections.
The 2016 presidential debate was held in Cagayan de Oro City. It was attended by then presidential aspirants former vice president Jejomar Binay, former Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the late former senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, incumbent Sen. Grace Poe and former Interior and Local Government secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd.
The 2016 vice-presidential debate, on the other hand, was held at the University of Santo Tomas. It was joined by former senator and now-Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., former senator and now Sorsogon Gov.
Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former senator and now Information Technology Secretary Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, former Naga City representative and now Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and former senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes 4th.
The coming 2022 presidential and vice-presidential debates will be the third since 1992.
It was held over a period of six consecutive Sundays. The candidates then were former President Fidel Ramos, the late senator Santiago, the late senate president Jovito Salonga, the late House speaker Ramon Mitra and the late businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr.
The vice-presidential aspirants then were the late senate president Marcelo Fernando, former Zambales representative Ramon Magsaysay Jr., the late former Zambales governor Vicente Magsaysay and then-senator Joseph Estrada, who backed out of the debate because of alleged prior commitment.
Earlier, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said proper preparation will ensure debates to be meaningful and informative.
The estimated average number of candidates for president is usually between five to seven.