An interview format for presidential and vice presidential candidates will now push through in place of the postponed concluding event of the PiliPinas Debates 2022 Series after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed an Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).
"The Comelec agreed with the KBP to adopt a taped panel interview format because this provides more information to the public about their candidates which is imperative for an informed and wise vote," Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan said during the event on Thursday, April 28.
"This is also to overcome the challenge of scheduling with the candidates, because we are aware that their schedules are full for the final days of the campaign. Candidates may also opt for an online interview in further consideration of such hectic schedules," he added.
The shift occurred after the poll body's private partner, Impact Hub Manila, encountered financial issues with the venue of the PiliPinas Debates 2022, the Sofitel Hotel, in Pasay City.
The new event, called the PiliPinas Forum 2022 will be conducted instead "in order to give the electorate the opportunity to hear, directly from the candidates themselves, their plans for the Presidency and the Nation" in partnership with the KBP.
KBP is a non-government, non-profit organization of the broadcast media in the Philippines.
Interview guidelines
The PiliPinas Forum 2022 shall be a series of one-hour panel interview sessions between a single candidate or team of candidates (President and Vice-President), conducted by a panel of broadcast anchors drawn from KBP-member networks.
A candidate will first have an opening statement of eight minutes which will respond to the question “Paano mo iaaahon ang Pilipinas sa mga hamon at krisis na hinaharap nito ngayon?” Three segments will make part of the main session. Each of these segments will make way for an interactive discussion between the candidate and the panel.
Comelec said that the discussion will be focused on two broad topics. The first segment which will run for 10 minutes will tackle the topic "Presyo ng Bilihin at Kahirapan (Inflation & Poverty)" and "Trabaho at Sahod, Kabuhayan at Negosyo".
The second segment which will also run for 10 minutes will revolve around Education and Healthcare and COVID Response.
The third segment (12 minutes) will touch on a variety of Hot Button Issues: including but not limited to, red-tagging, press freedom, attacks on civil society, attacks on mainstream media, fake news, e-sugal, electoral reforms, gender issues, political dynasties, dealing with disasters & calamities, use of nuclear energy, resurrecting the BNPP, foreign policy, judicial reforms, appointees, etc..
The session will then conclude with a closing statement from the candidate that will run for two minutes in response to the question: “Ano ang magiging tatak ng administrasyon mo? At paano mo masisiguro na bubuti ang buhay ng bawat Filipino sa anim na taon mong panunungkulan?” The session may be conducted in any one of three ways, depending on the candidates’ preference and availability:
- Live and in-person;
- Live and via teleconference call;
- or Taped as Live (NO EDITING)
Airing of the interviews will be from 10 in the morning to 12 noon from May 2 to 6, 2022. The order of airing shall be determined by the drawing of lots.
The following major broadcasting networks have signified their intention to air the forum:
- Manila Broadcasting Company
- Bombo Radyo Philippines
- Radio Mindanao Network
- ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. (Teleradyo and ANC)
- TV5 Network Inc. (One PH and OneNews)
- CNN Philippines
- Radyo Pilipino
- Primax Broadcasting
- Vanguard Broadcasting
Comelec said that they "expect" most of the radio and TV stations with News programming to participate.
The list of anchors submitted by the networks include:
- Rico Hizon (CNN)
- Pinky Webb (CNN)
- Cesar Chavez (MBC)
- Angelo Palmones (MBC)
- Deo Macalma (MBC)
- Bombo Elmar Acol (Bombo Radyo)
- Bombo Jane Buna (Bombo Radyo)
- Pia Hontiveros (CNN)
- Ricky Rosales (CNN)
- Karmina Constantino (ABS-CBN)
- Jay Taruc (TV5)
- Cheryl Cosim (TV5)
- Ed Lingao (TV5)
- Dan Andrew Cura (ABS-CBN)
- and Tony Velasquez (ABS-CBN)
According to the guidelines, several panels will be formed from the said pool of anchors, and the members of each three-member panel shall be assigned by the KBP with the concurrence of the Comelec. The assignment of a panel to a specific candidate or team of candidates shall likewise be done by the drawing of lots.
Live, teleconference and taped-as-live sessions
For the live forum session, a suitable venue shall be provided for the conduct of the live and in-person forum sessions. In this format, candidates shall be given the option to sit at a desk or stand behind a podium, facing the panel which shall be seated in front. The candidates shall not be allowed to bring notes, reference materials, or electronic devices to the session.
On the other hand, for the teleconference session, a suitable teleconferencing platform shall be provided for the conduct of a teleconferenced live session.
The candidates shall use the official virtual background provided by the KBP. The candidates shall be required to log onto the teleconference platform at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the session. The organizers shall, with the participation of the candidates, conduct a technical dry run.
Meanwhile, for the taped-as-live sessions, A suitable venue shall be provided for the taping of the live forum session.
The candidates shall be given the option to sit at a desk or stand behind a podium, facing the panel which shall be seated in front. The candidates shall not be allowed to bring notes, reference materials, or electronic devices to the session.