Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rey E. Bulay believes that there was “lack of wisdom or something questionable” in the process of the poll body’s debates deal with Impact Hub Manila.
“I agree, I agree with you, definitely,” he answered when asked during an ANC interview, Tuesday, April 26, if he believes that there was “a lack of wisdom or something questionable in the process.”
“It was done in the past with not so much ruckus and everything. It was done for free, as well,” Bulay even added.
The poll commissioner said he also wonders why the Comelec did not follow the same format before wherein big media companies were tapped for the debates.
Meanwhile, Bulay did not further elaborate, saying “it is just unfair if I talk about this in the middle of my investigation.”
Bulay was tasked to investigate the unfortunate postponement of the last leg of the PiliPinas Debates 2022.
In a statement released on Saturday, April 23, Impact Hub Manila said the Comelec “is not a party to the contract between Impact Hub Manila and Sofitel.”
The private company said “misunderstanding” led to the postponement of the last leg of the PiliPinas Debates 2022.
On April 22, Garcia announced the postponement of the PiliPinas Debates: 2022, saying there are “unforeseen circumstances that’s impossible for the Commission to proceed with the debate by Saturday and Sunday.”
Comelec said the presidential and vice-presidential debates will be reset from May 2 to 6, but the format will no longer be town hall debates. Instead, the poll body will be adopting "Single Candidate/Team-Panel Interview" format.