Instead of this month, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the first round of debates for presidential and vice presidential bets may be held in March.
"It will push through although we may have a slight delay for the first round of our debates," Comelec - Education and Information Department (EID) Director Elaiza David said during the Laging Handa briefing Monday, Feb. 7.
"If before it was last week of February, it may be held first week of March," she added.
David explained that they are still waiting for the en banc to approve the guidelines of the debates.
"We have the guidelines submitted to the en banc. Hopefully, it will be approved this week," she said.
The Comelec was originally looking to hold presidential and vice presidential debates from February to April ahead of the May 2022 polls.
Meanwhile, David said since there is no premature campaigning, any expense spent by an aspirant for ads before the campaign period will not be counted as they are not yet considered as candidates.
"There is no premature campaigning. Any expenses spent prior to the campaign period are not included," she said.