SANTIAGIO, Isabela -- Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc on Friday, March 4, appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to consider the observance of Ramadan in conducting debates.
“So, Ramadan na po namin in a few weeks, three weeks. Yes, I will participate in debates during Ramadan. Pero I call out to the Comelec to consider that national and local, especially national parties, be encouraged to conduct campaigns when the Muslims are awake, after 10 a.m. because we fast from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. and we pray until 8 p.m.," she said in a chance interview here.
“Kaya niyo ba mga candidates na 8 p.m. kayo mag conduct ng program? Di ba po (Can candidates conduct the programs at 8 p.m.?) So baka you want to program accordingly, especially sa ZamBaSulTa: Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and the ten barangays of Manila, which are Muslim dominant ? Di ba po?,” he said.
Gutoc also noted that there are around 300 Muslims in the province of Isabela.
She admitted that it can be disadvantageous for her to participate in the debate with empty stomach and lack of sleep.
"Baka kulang ako sa research, knowledge, or sometimes nagkaka-bloopers ako, but yeah, tuloy-tuloy to. Kasama niyo ako sa kampanya (Maybe I will be lacking in research, knowledge, or sometimes I get bloopers, but yeah, this will go on. I am with you in the campaign),” she added.