New proposal for rules pushed; delay explained as organizers lauded

THE camp of Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas is proposing that the candidates should sign a written set of rules before holding the third and last Commission on Elections-organized debate in April.

This is to avoid another disagreement or last-minute changes in the rules previously set by the Comelec, “Daang Matuwid” coalition spokesperson and Akbayan Rep. Barry Gutierrez said on Monday, a day after the debate which was delayed for almost two hours due to a miscommunication between TV5 and Vice President Jejomar Binay’s camp.

“Kaya ang isang ipropropose namin sa huling debate, mag meeting tayo, within how many meetings it takes—two or three meetings. Pero sa dulo let’s have a signed written set of rules para pag dating doon sa debate walang gulatan, wala ng bawian, walang teka hindi ito yung pinagusapan natin,” Gutierrez, who was present during the meeting moments before the debate, said in a media briefing.

“At the end of the day it was disservice to everyone, not just the candidates, but to all of the Filipino people who wanted to watch the debate, who waited for more than 1 hour for the debate to actually start,” he added.

But Binay’s ally and former spokesman Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, said after Sunday’s debate that TV5 in a meeting two weeks ago confirmed that they can bring documents and then five minutes before the start, they were told it’s not allowed.

Presidentiables Mar Roxas and Grace Poe did not agree with that.

Binay said that what he brought were not notes but documents to clear himself, which included his statement of assets and liabilities and income tax.

Binay added that the debate format still needs to be improved.

Remulla, however, said that they had no problem with the debate format and that they had accepted the apology of Luchi Cruz Valdez and TV 5.

But Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista said Comelec rules clearly stated that notes and documents were not allowed at the debate.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, runningmate of Davao City Mayor Duterte, said after the debate that they were “disgusted” with what Binay showed when he wanted his documents presented.

“Kaya mong maging presidente pero di mo kayang magdebate na wala kang kodigong nasa harap mo?” Cayetano said.

Businessman Philip Tan of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry when asked to comment about the delay said it revealed a lot about the candidates.

“Would you want a president, who cannot follow rules? That to me is very telling,” Tan said.

Despite the delay, Comelec chairman Bautista still considered the debate as successful.

He lauded the University of the Philippines Cebu faculty and staff, TV5, local government units who made the event possible.

UP Cebu Dean, Lawyer Liza D. Corro said the event was successful as the UP system officials consistently praised its Cebu counterparts.

“They were very cooperative with everything. PAEP (UP President Alfredo E. Pascual) spoke before (on ground) and after the debate in the hall and has inspired many of our invited youth,” said Corro.