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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Comelec postpones last two Pilipinas Debates to Apr 30, May 1

Comelec postpones last two Pilipinas Debates to Apr 30, May 1

Published Apr 22, 2022 01:22 pm

The Pilipinas Debates 2022 of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not push through this weekend.

Comelec/MB

The Comelec on Friday, April 22, announced the resetting of the debates on April 30 and May 1.

This after its private partner, Impact Hub Manila, encountered financial issues with the venue of the PiliPinas Debates 2022, the Sofitel Hotel, in Pasay City.

"We'd like to announce that we will not be able to proceed with the debate tomorrow and Sunday...it is not canceled its just being reset by next week April 30 and May 1," Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said in a press briefing in Manila.

"There are unforeseen circumstances that's impossible on the part of the Commission to proceed with the debate by Saturday and Sunday," he added.

"It will push through on April 30 and May 1. This time we have a very good partner, the Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, who offered unconditionally their help to the Comelec," said Garcia.

He said their partnership with the KBP will also be at no cost to the Commission.

The poll official said they are already coordinating with the representatives of the candidates to inform them about the new schedule.

"We have expressed our sincere apologies over the postponement of the debates through their representatives. At the same time, we have asked for their continued presence in the next debates," said Garcia.

The Comelec said the debates next week will still have the town hall format but the venue is yet to be decided.

Meanwhile, the poll body said it will investigate the issue involving Impact Hub Manila.

"We want to know the beginning and end of this. How did they came into the picture? What is the arrangement regarding expenditures? We cannot not conduct an investigation on this," Garcia said.

"Our Law Department has already been given instructions to prepare the necessary communication with the Vote Pilipinas (Impact Hub Manila)," he added.

On Thursday, reports came out that Sofitel has threatened to back out as venue of the last two debates after the initial check payments of Impact Hub Manila were "dishonored" after being found to have "insufficient funds."

In another development, Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay has issued a memorandum asking several individuals to submit a written explanation on the circumstances leading up to and including the rescheduling of the PiliPinas Debates 2022.

Among them Comelec Education and Information Department Director James Jimenez.

"Early evening today, in a sealed envelope, I received a copy of an inter-office memorandum from the Hon. Commissioner Rey Bulay, directing myself and others to submit a written explanation on the circumstances leading up to and including the rescheduling of the PiliPinas Debates 2022. However, it appears now that the same memorandum has been leaked to the media for whatever reason," said Jimenez in a statement.

"The memorandum has set a deadline for the response it demands, and I - as well as all other recipients of the memorandum - fully intend to meet that deadline. Just as importantly, due deference to the Honorable Commissioner dictates that any response I make should be made to him, first and foremost. For this reason, I would refrain from any further comments on the matter for now," he added.

Related Tags

PILIPINAS DEBATES 2022 kbp Comelec Commission on Elections vote pilipinas
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