Comelec chairman favors debates among candidates

Comelec chairman Andres Bautista speaks before the students of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) during the ‘Youth on the Move’ forum. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

Filipinos should vote for a candidate based on his or her track record and experience rather than  popularity.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Andres Bautista said this as he challenged local Comelec offices to organize debates among candidates for key local positions.

“We encourage local groups and Comelec offices to sponsor debates among local candidates because this is in accordance with our aim for people to vote not based on popularity but based on track record and experience,” he said.

He said the Comelec central office is also holding three presidential debates next year.

“The last time the Comelec held a debate was in 1992. It was too long ago. Since then, it’s been television stations, newspapers, and other entities who are organizing debates. Why is that so? It should be us, the Comelec, who should do it,” Bautista told reporters.

Bautista was a  guest in the forum “Youth on the Move: Rising to the Challenge of the 2016 Election” at the University of San Jose-Recoletos’ Center for Performing Arts yesterday afternoon.

He also spoke during the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) seminar of lawyers in Cebu.

Bautista said the Comelec has the responsibility to help voters come up with an informed decision about the candidates.

He earlier advised voters to be observant and wise to look beyond the campaign propaganda disguised as commercials on anti-poverty and anti-corruption that flood TV and radio nowadays.

READ: Comelec bares final schedule of activities

While the law doesn’t prohibit premature campaigning, Bautista said those who intend to run in the elections should exercise delicadeza.

Other speakers in the youth forum were Rep. Luigi Quisumbing of Cebu’s 6th district and Commissioner Dindong Dantes of the National Youth Commission.

In his talk, Quisumbing said young people have the power to shape the country’s future.

“The youth vote can make or break a candidacy. It’s up to you, the youth, what course of action this action shall take,” said Quisumbing who is rumored to run for Mandaue City mayor next year.

Dantes said the youth must get involved in nation building.

“The first thing we should do is to register (for next year’s elections). If we want effective governance, involved and empowered citizenry must take place,” he said.

“Let’s redefine history. Let’s dictate history. That’s the biggest challenge,” he added.