THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) welcomed debates among candidates in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), saying campaigns should focus on substance and principles instead of personalities and crowd-pulling.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said debates could help bring campaigns back to issues that matter to voters, particularly by giving candidates an opportunity to explain their positions and qualifications.
‘At least, we can bring back campaigns that are based on substance. Campaigns that are based on principles,’ he said.
Garcia urged candidates who join debates to avoid personal attacks and heated exchanges, saying they should instead explain why voters should choose them.
He said the Comelec is also considering its approach to debates for the 2028 elections, but stressed that the poll body should not be the one to finance such events.
Comelec cited the 2016 elections, when a media entity served as sponsor while the Comelec participated only as an observer and guest.
‘The sponsor should be like in 2016, a media entity. The Comelec should only be an observer, a guest there,’ Garcia said.
He further explained that the poll body would not spend public funds for debates, but would encourage media organizations to organize them.
Comelec would support media-led debates as a way to promote more substantive campaigns and avoid a repeat of the issues that emerged during the conduct of debates in 2022.
‘We will definitely encourage media entities to hold debates. We will support that,’ Garcia said.
He said debates are particularly useful in allowing voters to see how prepared candidates are and what they stand for on issues affecting the country.
Rather than limiting debates to presidential candidates, Garcia said the same platform should be available to other candidates so voters can assess their preparedness and positions.
‘It is better to participate, so our fellow citizens can see the preparedness of those running,’ Garcia said.
‘Not only for the presidency, but so they can see our preparedness and views on issues that are important to the country,’ he added.