The camp of presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has yet to confirm his participation in the election forum organized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Social Communications and Public Affairs Committee for the May 2022 polls.
"We invited him. No confirmation yet," Clifford Sorita one of the organizers of the forum.
He said they sent the invitation to all presidential candidates last week for the Catholic Election Forum or Catholic E-Forum which will be held this month until April.
Aside from Marcos Jr, Sorita said, presidential candidates Ernie Abella and Faisal Mangondato have also yet to confirm.
"We are hopeful that all presidential candidates would be part of this forum including former Senator Bongbong Marcos," he said.
"Attending a public forum is crucial in public accountability, most especially when you are seeking the highest position in the country," added Sorita.
"Since the Catholic Church does not encourage block voting, it leaves upon individual voters to discern who to vote. Thus, attending this forum will be beneficial to win over undecided Catholic voters," he said.
The Catholic E-Forum for President, Vice President and Senator will start on Feb. 14.
It will be aired live via Radio Veritas 846 and via their social medial account at www.facebook.com/DZRV846 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The Catholic E-Forum, which will run until April 29, is in partnership with the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Communication, Radio Veritas Asia, TV Maria and Radio Veritas 846.