The Commission on Elections has announced that it will no longer be conducting presidential and vice presidential debates originally scheduled on April 30 and May 1.
The poll body cited concerns on the schedule of the candidates on the final stretch of the campaign period.
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“The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, has announced that the concluding event of the PiliPinas Debates 2022 Series will no longer be Vice-Presidential and Presidential Town Hall Debates,” Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said.
“In consideration of the inevitable scheduling conflicts as the candidates approach the homestretch of the campaign period, and as advised by the KBP, the COMELEC will now be adopting a Single Candidate/Team – Panel Interview format,” Garcia added.
The commissioner said that the interview will air from May 2 to 6.
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“All will be entitled to a 1 hr panel interview,” he said, adding the candidates can attend either virtual or face to face.
The Comelec is expected to issue an advisory soon. KBP will be the official partner of Comelec after its private partner failed to settle payment with venue partner Sofitel.