Vice presidential candidate Walden Bello on Sunday called on the Commission on Elections to impose stiffer penalties for those who refuse to attend the debates organized by the poll body.
Bello criticized presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos and his running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio anew for skipping the PiliPinas Debates 2022, which is part of the Comelec's voter information activities for the May 9 elections.
"This is becoming a big joke. Sara Duterte is not with us, we're slashing one another for her benefit. I mean, the Commission on Elections should do something about this," Bello said during the Comelec vice presidential debate.
"Can you penalize these two people, Marcos and Sara Duterte for not showing themselves up to the Filipino people with their programs so that masuri ng Filipino people yung kanilang record at yung programs nila?" he added, addressing Comelec officials present.
The Comelec previously said those who would not join the debates would no longer be allowed to air their e-rallies through the poll body's official channels, but Bello said such a penalty was too weak.
"We need stronger penalties for these people. This is so undemocratic that they are not here," he said.
Bello even threatened to walk out from the live debates as he expressed his frustration on the Marcos-Duterte tandem's absence.
"I'm really so pissed off that these two jokers are not here. Duwag sila. We can't show their records. They have to show up so that the Filipino people can judge. Otherwise, this is a fucking big joke," he added.
Survey frontrunner Marcos skipped the Comelec debate on March 19, with his spokesperson saying they would rather continue their face-to-face mode of campaigning. Duterte-Carpio also said she would not join debates, adding that it's up to the people to decide whether to vote for her or not.
In an interview with reporters after the debate, Comelec chairman Saidamen Pangarungan maintained that the poll body cannot require candidates to attend. They would, however, discuss how they can address the non-participation of some candidates during their en banc session on Wednesday.
Comelec Commissioner George Erwin Garcia said there is a need for a law to require candidates to attend debates.
"The Comelec can only implement the laws na pino-promulgate ng ating legislative department. So there should be a law," he said.
"Halimbawa may punishment, yung punishment na yan ay manggagaling lang sa ating legislature. Hindi pwedeng Comelec ang magpa-punish nang wala namang batas. Mas maa-appreciate namin kung ganun," he added.
A second Comelec presidential debate is set for April 3, while a presidential and vice presidential town hall debates are scheduled for April 24 and 23, respectively.
ALSO READ:
Comelec Presidential, VP Debates: What You Need to Know
Are Journalists Biased for Asking Candidates Hard Questions?
Bongbong Says 'Biased' Means 'Anti-Marcos'