Today, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will discuss the punishment to be applied to those who did not attend the debate last Saturday intended for the incumbent president and vice president. The debate was organized by the Comelec. The imposition of the punishment was announced by Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan after vice presidential candidate Walden Bello said that candidates Bongbong Marcos Jr. should be severely punished. and Sara Duterte-Carpio for not attending Comelec debates.
Pangarungan said candidates who do not participate may be stripped of airtime in the Comelec e-campaign. However, the Comelec chairman said the debates were voluntary and the candidate could not be forced if he did not want to attend.
The Comelec must have an iron hand on candidates who refuse to participate in the debate they have organized. They should have warned the candidates from the beginning or signed an agreement. After all, the Comelec is the most powerful at this time, they can do it. For what else and had a Comelec if they would not show power.
The purpose of the Comelec in having a debate is to know the visions or actions of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates once they take office. The debate is important for the people to know the ability of the leader they will elect. Through debate, it will be known if the candidate has the ability.
By not attending the Comelec debates, BBM and Sara wasted the opportunity. The people would have heard what they were going to do and they would have been installed.
The Comelec was slapped by the two so they should only punish them. This is if they can. The Comelec had earlier said that those who did not want to attend would not be forced to attend.