The Commission on Elections wants to convince lawmakers to include non-attendance in presidential and vice-presidential debates as one of the grounds for disqualification during national elections.
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia says that the poll body wants to make the debates it organizes mandatory.
RELATED STORY: COMELEC confirms attendance of 9 out of 10 presidential candidates for 2nd presidential debate
“Kukumbinsihin po natin ang ating kagalang-galang na Kongreso na sana po ay ilagay na po talaga na requirement na a-attend lahat ng magiging kandidato, lokal man at nasyonal, sa mga ipapatawag na debate ng Commission on Election,” Garcia said in a Laging Handa briefing.
“Kung hindi, puwede siyang maging ground ng disqualification. At the same time, puwedeng maging ground ng election offense,” he added.
READ ON: Philippine presidential aspirants push for protection of undocumented OFWs
Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos and Vice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte repeatedly ignored the debates organized by the poll body.
Marcos only attended the debate organized by SMNI, a network owned by FBI most wanted Apollo Quiboloy.
