The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it will wait for presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr and his tandem Sara Duterte to make a decision on whether they will attend the Pilipinas Debates or not.
"As put out in our materials, we don't have a written refusal yet. Until we get that, we are not ready to call it quits with them. We think that some people will take a little longer to come to a decision. We are willing to wait. The debate will be this weekend. So it will be very interesting to see if they will be there," Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview in Sta Rosa, Laguna, Monday, March 14.
In the event that the two did not confirm their attendance but come to the debates, Jimenez said, they will not be turned away.
"If they come on the day of the debate, they will not be turned away. It's up to them. The sooner they confirm, the sooner we can brief them on things like the set up, where they need to stay, what needs to be done before hand etc. The same briefing that will be given to all candidates," he said.
Jimenez explained that although the written commitment is necessary, it is not a requirement in order to join the debates.
"Let me be clear, its not a requirement in order to join that's why I said if you come at the last minute you will not be turned away," he said
"Again, the point is if they arrived on the day itself they will be allowed to join. This will be extended to all candidates," added Jimenez.
On Sunday, the poll official revealed that nine of the 10 presidential bets have committed to attend the presidential and vice presidential debates they are organizing which will kick off this month.
Only Marcos Jr and Duterte have yet to confirm.