Nine of the 10 contenders for the presidency will meet in the first of a series of debates organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) today, March 19, 2022, ahead of the May 9 polls.
The pandemic and the economy will be the main topics for the debate, which will not have survey leader former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who begged off due to an earlier commitment.
While 65 million Filipinos have already been vaccinated, according to the Department of Health (DOH), the agency is nonetheless prudent in saying that it intends to bring back the daily Covid-19 case bulletins should the number of infections go on a surge anew.
And amid a fuel price surge, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has rejected a petition by a transport group for a one-peso fare hike.
These are among the top stories this Saturday morning, March 19, 2022.

COMELEC DEBATES – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson Saidamen B. Pangarungan (right) is joined by Commissioner George Erwin M. Garcia (second from left), and spokesperson James B. Jimenez in inspecting the stage on Friday, March 18, 2022, where the presidential and vice-presidential contenders in the May 2022 elections will be facing off in the Pilipinas Debates 2022 that will be held starting March 19, 2022, at the Sofitel Tent in Pasay. (Noel B. Pabalate)
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