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Mayen Jaymalin - The Philippine Star
February 25, 2025 | 12:00am
“Having to oblige them mandatorily – this was not yet put in the guidelines because the issue of constitutionality is being studied,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is studying the legality of mandating the attendance of candidates in election debates.
“Having to oblige them mandatorily – this was not yet put in the guidelines because the issue of constitutionality is being studied,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
Under the new Comelec guidelines on conducting debates and interviews, organizers are required to invite all candidates to attend.
Garcia, however, stressed that candidates are still not mandated to attend the debates at this time.
“It’s not yet mandatory. In the first place, it’s not Comelec that called for it. Depends on them, as long as everyone is invited,” he said.
The poll chief stressed that debates must be issue-based and that Comelec must be informed prior to the event.
Concerning election survey guidelines, Garcia said, Comelec is set to hold a meeting on Thursday with survey firms to get their compliance commitment.
Garcia said Comelec also intends to come out with a supplemental resolution on rules on election surveys.
Meanwhile, Comelec reported that over a thousand individuals have already been arrested for gun ban violations.
Comelec data showed that as of Feb. 24, a total of 1,139 civilians were arrested since the start of the election period. Aside from civilians, seven members of Armed Forces of the Philippines, seven policemen, 24 security guards and six foreign nationals were also arrested for gun ban violations.
High number of arrests were recorded in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Central Visayas.
Meanwhile, the Comelec is now almost 100 ready to conduct the coming May 2025 midterm elections. “More or less we’re ready especially since workload has been lightened with the BARMM elections (postponement),” Garcia said yesterday.
He noted that the Comelec is now 95 percent prepared to hold the elections with all aspects of their preparations on track and on schedule.
