Comelec, Impact Hub Manila ink MOA for Eleksyon 2022 prexy, VP debates

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Impact Hub Manila, the group behind Vote Pilipinas, on Monday inked a memorandum of agreement for the conduct of Comelec-sanctioned presidential and vice presidential debates ahead of Eleksyon 2022.

Vote Pilipinas is the official voter information campaign partner of the Comelec.

Comelec was represented by its acting chairperson, Commissioner Socorro Inting, Commissioners Aimee Ferolino, Marlon Casquejo, and spokesperson James Jimenez.

Impact Hub Manila was represented by its CEO and founder Celeste Rondario.

The first presidential debate is set on March 19 while the first vice presidential debate is scheduled on March 20. Both events will be held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City.

The second presidential debate is also scheduled on April 3.

According to Comelec, each debate is anchored on a set of predetermined topics on pressing concerns of the country, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy, and the pool of questions will come from the concerned sector groups.

The debate will follow a single-moderator format with no live audience.

The Comelec said there will also be a presidential and vice presidential Town Hall on April 23 and 24, respectively. These events will have both remote and in-person audience, and a post-debate roundtable.

In her opening speech during the MOA signing ceremony, Inting encouraged presidential and vice presidential candidates to attend the debates to help the electorate decide.

“Wala pong ibang layunin ang debateng ito kundi para matulungan ang mga botante na malaman kung saan kayo tumatayo sa iba't- ibang issue na kinakaharap ng ating lipunan at kung ano ang inyong mga plano upang masolusyunan ang mga ito,” she said.

(The debate’s only goal is to help our voters know where you stand on issues that are being faced by our society and what are your plans to resolve them.)

“Marahil dahil sa pagkakatabi-tabi nila sa isang entablado magkakaroon ang ating mga botante ng paghahambing patungkol sa mga kandidato. At base sa mapapanuod o maririnig nila ay mabubuo ang kanilang desisyon kung sino talga ang iboboto nila sa pararating na halalan,” she noted.

(Because they are in one stage, our voters will have better comparison of our candidates and based on what they will see and what they will hear, they could decide who will they vote for in the upcoming elections.) —KBK, GMA News