Seven of the nine candidates for vice president have confirmed while one declined to attend the debates organized by the Commission of Elections for the May 9 elections, its spokesperson said on Sunday.
Vice presidential bets Walden Bello, Rizalito David, Manny Lopez, Willie Ong, Francis Pangilinan, Carlos Serapio, and Vicente Sotto III all signed up to join the "Pilipinas Debates 2022: The Turning Point" happening on March 20, according to a list posted by Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez on Twitter.
Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza formally declined for medical reasons, while Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has not confirmed her attendance, the same list showed.
Duterte-Carpio on Saturday said she would skip debates as she campaigns to become the second highest-ranking official in the country, adding that she would leave it up to the voters to decide.
Her running mate, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., has also yet to confirm his attendance in the presidential debates, making him the only candidate to the highest government post to do so.
The Comelec previously said those who would skip debates would no longer be allowed to air their e-rallies through the poll body's official channel.
Apart from the main debates, a presidential and vice presidential town hall debate, where the audience can ask questions directly to the candidates, are also scheduled on April 24 and 23, respectively.
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