MANILA – Balak ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) na magpatupad ng bagong format para sa pangalawang presidential debate nito para mas maging exciting, ayon kay Commissioner George Garcia.
“That’s why in the next presidential debate, there will be some adjustments that will surprise the candidates. If they already know or have an idea of what will happen, there is no more thrill,” he told the media after the first “PiliPinas Debates 2022” ginanap sa Sofitel Hotel Tent sa Pasay City noong Sabado ng gabi.
“We can definitely promise you that there will be changes on the format. There is a surprise difference that they themselves will appreciate,” dagdag niya.
Ayon kay Garcia, “very successful” ang initial presidential debate.
“It’s not 100 perfect, but it’s a good start, it’s successful for us. We think everyone, probably even if those who watched on television, followed it on social media, heard over radio, we can say that it’s very successful because it was appreciated by our candidates and their teams at the same time, and also by everyone who witnessed this debate,” aniya pagkatapos ng mahigit dalawang oras na kaganapan.
“The questions that were asked did not favor one candidate. It was fair to all the candidates, they all appreciate it and were able to answer the questions clearly,” dagdag niya.
Inamin niya na hindi nila makokontrol ang mga kalahok kung nais nilang pag-usapan ang tungkol sa isang kandidato na nagpasyang laktawan ang kaganapan.
“Of course, we have no control over that, we cannot stop those who are present from going to that topic because it’s their discretion. It can always come out in their answer,” wika niya. “So I think this will be a reminder for those who are looking to skip the next debates not to be absent or else they are going to be the topic of those who will be present in the debate.”
Gayunpaman, sinabi niya na pinakamahusay din na pag-usapan ang tungkol sa mga dumalo sa kaganapan dahil naibahagi nila ang kanilang mga saloobin sa mga isyu.
“We should appreciate their presence for taking their time to be with us,” aniya.
Ang mga presidential candidates na dumalo sa unang presidential candidate ay sina Jose Montemayor Jr., Faisal Mangondato, Panfilo Lacson, Leody de Guzman, Norberto Gonzales, Ernesto Abella, Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Vice President Leni Robredo at Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao.
Nagdesisyon si dating Senador Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., ayon sa kanyang tagapagsalita na si Vic Rodriguez, na huwag lumahok sa debate at sa halip ay tuparin ang kanyang “commitment sa kanilang mga tagasuporta na makasama sila sa araw na ito”.
Dumalo si Marcos sa grand rally ng UniTeam sa Marikina City noong Sabado ng gabi.
Sa Marso 26, isasagawa ang susunod na presidential debate na pinagtibay ng Comelec.
