9 of 10 presidential bets have confirmed debate attendance —Comelec

Nine of the 10 presidential candidates have confirmed that they will attend the Commission on Elections' PiliPinas Debates to be held in March and April, the poll body said.

In a tweet, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that as of 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 13, the following candidates have confirmed that they will take part in the live debates:

• Former Foreign Affairs undersecretary Ernesto Abella
• Labor leader Leody De Guzman
• Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso
• Senator Panfilo Lacson
• Former Defense secretary Norberto Gonzales
• Businessman Faisal Mangondato
• Physician Jose Montemayor, Jr.
• Senator Manny Pacquiao
• Vice President Leni Robredo

Former senator Bongbong Marcos has not yet confirmed his attendance, Comelec said. 

On March 8, Marcos spokesperson Vic Rodriguez said that their camp would finalize that week whether Marcos would attend the debates.

Marcos has so far skipped the presidential interviews with GMA Network's veteran journalist Jessica Soho; the forum organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas; and the presidential debate organized by the CNN Philippines.

The only debate he has participated in was the one conducted by Apollo Quiboloy's SMNI network.

Marcos' camp had stated in a letter to Comelec that it would be "more proper and prudent" if the candidates had the opportunity to thresh out the debates' format, which would include "the issues to be discussed."

Asked about his attending the Comelec debates, Marcos also said he was still "looking at the format."

The Comelec said that it will inform the candidates of the general topics to be tackled at the debates, but not the specific questions.

The presidential debates will be held on March 19 and April 3. Townhall events for the presidential and vice presidential bets will be held on April 23 and 24. All the events may be watched online or on TV, or followed on the radio.

The other presidential candidates agree that debates are important and an opportunity for them to explain their platform and positions to the Filipino public.

Sara also unconfirmed

In a separate tweet, Jimenez said that these seven vice presidential candidates have confirmed that they will attend their debate:

• Professor Walden Bello
• Rizalito David
• Manny Lopez
• Dr. Willie Ong
• Senator Francis Pangilinan
• Carlos Serapio
• Senate President Vicente Sotto III

Pacquiao's running mate, Buhay party-list Representative Lito Atienza, has formally declined to attend for medical reasons.

Marcos' vice presidential bet Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, meanwhile, has also not yet confirmed her attendance. However, she earlier said that she will not be taking part in any debates for Eleksyon 2022.

The Comelec's vice presidential debate will be held on March 20.  — BM, GMA News