/ MARCH 5, 2ot9
TUESDAY
By Tina G. Santos
and Leila B. Salav$ria
@Teamjnquirer
Citing time constraints, the Com-
mission on Elections (Comelec)
on Monday said a debate be-
tween the administration and
opposition senatorial candidates
was unlikely to hapPen.
"Not to preempt tbe lfuu
commissionl, but we only have
less than two months to go. So
it's unlikely," Comelec sPokes-
person James Jimenez told a sition team, stressed the impor-
news briefing.
Senatorial candidates of the
opposition coalition Otso Diretsb
earlier asked the Corhelec to ar-
range a public debate between It's not entertairment
them and their rivals ftom the qangilinan called for a battle
administation coalitiorl Hrrg*i oP ide?id in order'to help voters
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pong ng Pagbabago (HNP) headed
by President Duterte's daughter,
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
HNP called for a rules-based
debate organized by a third PartY.
'Not an overnight iob'
"To be honest, organizing a
debate is not an overnight job,"
Iimenez said.
But the full Comelec, howev-
er, will tackle the request of the
opposition candidated, he added.
"lt will be brought to the
[full] commission and if the ltull
commissionl rules on itone way
orthe other, then we will imPte-
ment," Jimenez said.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan,
campaign manager ofthe oPPo-
tance of debates for the voters,
and not just for those seeking
elective office.
nan said in a statement.
According to Pangilinan,
OO
holding public pffice is not a Salvador Panelo said the oppo-
matter of entertaining PeoPle, as
he cited the words of DolPhY
/ Notto preempt when the comedian was asked if
he would run for an elective seat.
/ the [full "His response: What will I do
there? Make jokes? DolPhY is
'commission], but correct," he said.
we only have less Voters should look into the
history and previous actions of
than two months candidates, he said.
"who have seryed for a long
to go. So it's time honestly? Without abusing
unlikely the power given them bY the
people? Without the obvious
Iam€s llmenez abuse in the flood of exPensive
Comelec spokesPerson lposters] and TV ads?" he said.
fust PublicitY
gauge the competence of asPi- The Otso Diretso candidates
rants for public offiie. asked their HNP rivals to face
'them in adebate at PlazaMiran-
"A serious debate on issues of
gut, life and livelihood-not curs- da during the Edsa People Pow-
er anniversary on Feb.25.
ing, tireatening, or ioking-fwilll
Nobody from the adminis-
help voters in choosing the lead-
ers who will lead them,'r Pangili- tration group showed uP, citing
),r
previous commitments.
Presidential spokesPerson
sition's challenge to a debate
was only intended for PublicitY.
The opposition candidates
are Ser Bam Aquino, Magdalo
Rep. Gary Alejano, human rights
lawyer Chel Diokno, civic leader
Samira 'Gutog. lawyer Florin
Hilbay, lawyer Romulo Macalin-
tal, former sen. Mar Roxas and
former Quezon Rep. Erin Taflada.
Their HNP rivals are Senators
Aquilino Pimentel III, Cynthia
Vitlar, ry Ejercito and Sonny An-
gara, Maguindanao ReP. Zajid
Mangudadatu, Taguig ReP. Pia
Cayetano, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee
Marcos, former Senators Jinggoy
Estrada and Bong Reviua Jr., for-
mer presidential aide Cbristopher
."Bong" Go, former PhiliPPine Na-
tional Police Director General
Ronald dela Rosa, former Political
to President Duterte
adviser
Francis Tolentino, and former
journalistjiggyManicad. Nq