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MANILA, Philippines — On Tuesday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) indicated it may impose a reasonable fine on candidates who refuse to participate in its debates.

“However, the (Comelec) en banc will continue to study it, the en banc will discuss it, and you can hope that whatever decision your en banc makes, it will be reasonable and appropriate to the extent that it needs to be adjusted,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a Laging Handa briefing on Tuesday.

Some groups have called on the polling organization to impose harsher sanctions on candidates who do not show up for the debates it has scheduled, in addition to barring them from utilizing its online rally platforms.

Meanwhile, Jimenez emphasized the importance of the debates as a way for candidates to convey their government agendas and objectives for the country, as well as to build an informed voter.

“Now, we’ve imposed a minor penalty to let the candidates realize that this is a crucial component of their campaign.” We don’t ban your campaigns or anything like that; it’s only a modest penalty that affects an innovation that the Comelec itself implemented. It’s just that we want to make it apparent to the candidates and the public that we are taking this debate seriously,” Jimenez explained.

Earlier this week, poll body chairperson Saidamen Pangarungan said that during their en banc session this week, they will explore other possible fines for national candidates who skip subsequent episodes of the “PiliPinas Debates 2022.”

The first of a series of presidential and vice-presidential debates were conducted at the Sofitel Harbor Tent in Pasay City over the weekend.

Dr. Jose Montemayor Jr., businessman Faisal Mangondato, Senator Panfilo Lacson, labor leader Leody de Guzman, former national security adviser Norberto Gonzales, former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Vice President Leni Robredo, and Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao were the only candidates who did not attend the presidential debate on March 19.

Meanwhile, Marcos’ running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, did not attend the vice presidential debate on March 20, which was also attended by Walden Bello, Rizalito David, Manny Lopez, Dr. Willie Ong, Senator Francis Pangilinan, Carlos Serapio, and Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

Due to medical concerns, former Manila mayor Lito Atienza likewise sat out the vice presidential debate.

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