The Pilipinas Debates 2022 will give the public a glimpse of how their candidates perform while under pressure, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesperson James B. Jimenez said.
On Thursday, Jimenez said all the candidates have signified their commitment to join the debate organized by the poll body. However, Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s spokesperson Victor Rodriguez said that Marcos “has not yet confirmed his participation” in the debate.
“The #PiliPinasDebates2022 is an opportunity for the voting public to see their candidates in action, performing under pressure, and showing leadership at crunch-time. #turningpoint,” the poll body’s spokesperson posted on Twitter, Thursday afternoon, Feb. 24.
After Rodriguez released a statement that Marcos has not yet confirmed his attendance in the debate, Jimenez posted on Twitter a letter from the camp of Marcos signifying “readiness to participate” in the upcoming debate organized by the poll body.
The letter that Jimenez showed was signed by Marcos’ campaign manager, Benjamin "Benhur" C. Abalos Jr., dated Feb. 11, 2022.
“Foremost, presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos, Jr. has expressed his readiness to join the same,” the letter signed by Abalos read, pertaining to the presidential debate.
Participating in the debate is not mandatory for candidates but they are urged by the poll body to join for the benefit of the electorate.