Nine presidential bets in the May 2022 polls have already confirmed their participation in the PiliPinas Debates of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
"As of March 13, 6 p.m. 9 out of 10 Presidential candidates have confirmed participation in the #PiliPinasDebates2022," Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said on Twitter.
Based on the data provided by the poll official, they are Ernesto Abella, Leody De Guzman, Isko Moreno Domagoso, Norberto Gonzales, Ping Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, Faisal Mangondato, Jose Montemayor Jr, and Leni Robredo.
The participation of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., is not confirmed yet.
As to the vice presidential candidates, seven already confirmed their participation namely; Walden Bello, Rizalito David, Manny Lopez, Doc Wilie Ong, Kiko Pangilinan, Carlos Serapio and Vicente Tito Sotto.
The participation of Sara Duterte, the runningmate of Marcos Jr, is not confirmed while Lito Atienza formally declined for medical reasons.
Meanwhile, Jimenez said those who have questions for the debates may now send them on Twitter.
"The #PilipinasDebates2022 is a week away! No guarantees they will be asked but if you have questions for the candidates, submit them using the hashtag #AskPilipinasDebates," he said.
On March 7, Jimenez said while the public can submit questions, there is no guarantee that it will be asked.
"We are making it clear that you can submit the questions you want. But there isn't a guarantee that your question will be asked. We want to get a sense of what the people wants to know, to zoom down, to what the sector considers important," he said.
The first Presidential Debates is on March 19, followed by the Vice-Presidential Debates on March 20, There will also be a second Presidential Debates on April 3.
The Presidential and Vice Presidential Town Hall Debates will be held on April 23 and 24, respectively.