For Caloocan City 2nd district Rep. Edgar "Egay" Erice, an election aspirant or candidate's platform should be given more weight than his or her popularity.

With this in mind, Erice filed House Bill (HB) No. 9297, which sought to require all candidates for elective positions to submit detailed campaign platforms and participate in mandatory public debates.

The proposed measure, titled the "Responsible and Accountable Election Campaign Act," requires candidates to attach a written campaign platform or political agenda to their Certificates of Candidacy (COC).

Erice said doing so would strengthen accountability and promote issue-based elections.

"Elections should not be reduced to popularity contests or entertainment-driven campaigns. The people deserve to know the plans, qualifications, and policy directions of those seeking public office," said the veteran lawmaker from northern Metro Manila.

Under the bill, candidates for President, Vice President, Senator Member of the House of Representatives, Governor, Mavor, Vice Mayor, and local legislative positions will be required to publicly present their platforms on concerns such as the economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, peace and order, environment, and governance.

He said the platform must outline the election candidates' proposed programs, legislative or executive agenda, governance priorities, and policy directions should they be elected into office.

The bill likewise mandates participation in official campaign debates and public forums organized and supervised by the Commission on Elections (Comelec)

According to Erice, the proposal aims to shift elections away from personality politics and focus public attention on concrete plans competence, and accountability.

The measure also directs the Comelec to make all submitted platforms publicly accessible through its official website and other information channels within 15 days from the filing of COCs.

Erice emphasized that mandatory debates would provide voters the opportunity to directly compare candidates and hear their positions on important national and local issues.

"Candidates aspiring for public office must be willing to face the people, explain their programs, and answer difficult questions. Public service demands transparency and accountability," he added.

The proposed measure includes penalties for candidates who uniustifiably fail to submit campaian platforms or refuse to participate in mandatory debates, including administrative fines and possible cancellation of candidacy subject to due process.

Through the bill Erice seeks to elevate political discourse and empower voters to make informed decisions based on issues and governance rather than personality-driven politics.

"This measure is about strengthening democracy by encouraging informed voting and responsible leadership," he said.