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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Pangilinan asks Comelec to explain debate mess; 'Pinapaboran ba nyo 'yung mga di sumisipot?'

Pangilinan asks Comelec to explain debate mess; 'Pinapaboran ba nyo 'yung mga di sumisipot?'

Published Apr 23, 2022 12:26 pm

Vice-presidential bet Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan questioned the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to cancel the vice-presidential and presidential debates originally scheduled this weekend, saying that it “heavily favors those who do not show up.”

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (Photo from Team Kiko)

Survey frontrunners former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who are running for president and vice president, respectively, have declined to join the debates.

“Comelec magpaliwanag kayo. Pinapaboran ba ninyo ‘yung mga di sumisipot (Comelec, explain yourself. Are you favoring those who do not attend)?,” the senator tweeted.

He was supposed to attend the Comelec-sponsored vice-presidential debate today, April 23, and miss the birthday rally of Vice President Leni Robredo in Pasay City.

But the poll body canceled the events and moved it to April 30 and May 1, respectively, after the Sofitel revealed the commission’s “bounced checks” amounting to P14 million.

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

Pangilinan and Robredo, however, are scheduled to appear at the people’s rally in Batangas on April 30 and Cavite on May 1.

Other presidential and vice-presidential bets already said they might not attend the debate because of scheduled events.

The senator also criticized the reason for the cancelation.

He said Comelec could have chosen another venue for the same dates and called out the poll body for the “lousy script.”

“Mas mahalaga interes ng Sofitel kaysa sa interes ng 65 million na botante na marinig ang mga kandidato? Ang tindi at lakas naman ng kamandag ng isang hotel at hawak sa leeg ang Comelec at buong bansa (The interest of Sofitel is more important than the interest of 65 million voters to hear the candidates? One hotel has this much power and it holds hostage the Comelec and the whole country),” an obviously exasperated Pangilinan added.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos Sara Duterte-Carpio Comelec debates VP Leni Robredo sofitel Kiko Pangilinan
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