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Philippines

Here's why Marcos declined Comelec's presidential panel interview

Philippines

Here's why Marcos declined Comelec's presidential panel interview

By Ellson Quismorio

The camp of presidential candidate and survey frontrunner Bongbong Marcos has officially declined the Commission on Election's (Comelec) invite for its presidential panel interview.

Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos (Noel Pabalate/ MANILA BULLETIN)

“With less than two weeks before the May 9 elections, frontrunner Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. has decided to forego his participation in the Comelec’s presidential panel interview which was scheduled on May 1, 2022," a statement from lawyer Vic Rodriguez, Marcos's spokesperson, read on Thursday morning, April 28.

According to Rodriguez, Marcos "acknowledges the importance of joining in such an important event" and thus "extends his appreciation to the poll body for its gracious invitation".

"He opted, however, to conclude the entire 90-day campaign period with visits to his supporters and compliances with previous commitments for political events, like town hall meetings and political rallies," the Marcos mouthpiece said.

The former senator and Ilocos Norte governor hasn't attended any of the Comelec-organized debates leading up to the polls.

Rodriguez has said in the past that the Marcos campaign puts more weight to touching base with voters in their respective locations than engaging rivals in a presidential debate.

Marcos, along with his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, leads the so-called UniTeam ticket.

A Manila Bulletin source said that the UniTeam tandem is planning multiple "miting de avances" during the final week of the campaign period.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos presidential miting de avances panel interview 42822 declined Sara Duterte Comelec vic rodriguez UniTeam

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