The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will discuss this week the possibility of imposing additional sanctions for those who would skip their debates.
"We will address this particular problem in the en banc session this Wednesday," Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan said on Sunday, March 20.
"We will discuss in the en banc what more can we do, what further sanctions can we give. In the meantime, we will have to do with our current sanction," Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said.
At present, candidates who refuse to participate in the Pilipinas Debates 2022 of the poll body are deprived of the benefits of availing of the Comelec's erally platform.
But Pangarungan believes the biggest sanction is the failure of the candidates to present their platform to the Filipino people.
During the first presidential debate of the poll body on March 19, all presidential bets were present except for former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Seven bets on the other hand, attended their vice presidential debate the next day. Sara Duterte and Lito Atienza were absent. Atienza did not attend the debate due to medical reasons.
But Garcia said the Comelec can only implement laws that are existing.
"The punishment must come from the legislature. The Comelec cannot make punishments that aren't provided by law," he said.
Pangarungan also stressed that they cannot force candidates to attend as it is voluntary.
The Comelec en Banc will tackle the matter on Wednesday.