Will he or won’t he be at the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-sponsored debate? That is the question on people’s minds as officials from Bongbong Marcos’ camp seem to contradict each other on whether or not the former senator will be appearing at the Comelec presidential debate.
Marcos spokesperson Vic Rodriguez said in a statement that Bongbong had yet to confirm his participation in the Comelec-sponsored debate just shortly after the Comelec confirmed that all 10 presidential candidates appearing in the May ballot would be present.
“His participation in the said event, which will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan will only be confirmed if his hectic campaign schedules permit,” Rodriguez said.
However, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that the body was assured of Marcos Jr.’s “readiness to participate” in the debate scheduled on March 19 by no less than Marcos’ national campaign manager, Benjamin Abalos Jr.
The COMELEC has been advised of presidential candidate Marcos’ “readiness to participate” in the #PiliPinasDebates2022. If more confirmation is needed, the COMELEC awaits the same with bated breath. Nevertheless, preparations for the #PiliPinasDebates2022 push thru. pic.twitter.com/YDHPI4gqay
— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) February 24, 2022
The former senator has famously been dodging presidential interviews and forums arranged by some of the country’s largest media networks, particularly the Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews by GMA News and the 2022 Presidential Candidates Forum by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (Association of Broadcasters of the Philippines).
READ: The #MarcosDuwag fiasco has a sequel, after Bongbong Marcos declines another presidential forum
The Marcos camp has particularly lambasted Soho, a Peabody Award-winning journalist, as being “biased” against the Marcos family.
“If more confirmation is needed, the Comelec awaits the same with bated breath,” Jimenez wrote on Twitter.
