Comelec, KBP ink partnership on PiliPinas Forum 2022

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has partnered with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) in holding a one-on-one interview with presidential and vice presidential candidates running in the elections next month.

Officials from the poll body and the broadcasters’ group signed a memorandum agreement at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila on Thursday for the conduct of PiliPinas Forum 2022.

In explaining the revised format, Comelec chairperson Saidamen Pangarungan said they opted for a taped panel interview to fit the candidates’ schedule.

It would likewise provide the public with more information about the national bets which he said is vital for an “informed and wise vote”.

“We hope that through the hour-long interviews to be aired by the KBP, the public may be further informed of their candidates’ programs and platforms of government,” said Pangarungan in his speech.

“The longer time would also allow our Presidential candidates to reach the voters and engage with them substantially, compared to one or two minutes in a debate,” he said.

The Comelec on Monday announced it is holding the interviews in lieu of the town hall presidential debates amid the financial issues hounding its debate contractor Impact Hub and venue Sofitel Garden Plaza.

The KBP is a non-government, non-profit organization of the broadcast media in the Philippines. In February, it held its own presidential forum where it quizzed national bets on their stance and programs to address the country’s current plight.

Revised PiliPinas guidelines

To be aired from 10 a.m. to 12 noon from May 2 to 6, the PiliPinas Forum 2022 will feature a single or a team of presidential and vice-presidential candidates. The order of airing will be determined via draw lots.

Interview sessions may be conducted in any of the three ways depending on the candidates’ preference and availability: live and in-person; live and via teleconference call, or taped as live.

As per Comelec guidelines, the forum will begin with the candidate’s eight-minute opening which shall include a response to the question: “Paano mo iaaahon ang Pilipinas sa mga hamon at krisis na hinaharap nito ngayon?”  (How will you help the Philippines overcome its current difficulties and crisis?)

The main body of the session will be divided into three segments — first will tackle Presyo ng Bilihin at Kahirapan (Inflation & Poverty) and Trabaho at Sahod, Kabuhayan at Negosyo; second will focus on education, healthcare, and COVID response while the final stretch will include existing issues such as red-tagging and press freedom, among others.

The interview session will conclude with the candidate’s closing statement which will answer the question: “Ano ang magiging tatak ng administrasyon mo? At paano mo masisiguro na bubuti ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino sa anim na taon ng panunungkulan?” (What will be the trademark of your administration? How will you ensure the lives of Filipinos will get better under your term?) -- BAP, GMA News