Namfrel chief backs debates for presidential bets

MANILA, Philippines - Election watchdog National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) is supporting the proposal by a poll official to have debates among presidential bets for the 2010 elections. Namfrel chairperson Henrietta de Villa said the discussions would be a good vehicle for candidates to push their respective bids for the highest seat in country. “Para sa amin (For us), that would be the best campaign method to see what the bets have to offer,” the former Ambassador to Vatican said. De Villa, who also heads the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), a church-based electoral watchdog, urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to pass a resolution requiring candidates to participate in the debate. “Wala naman dapat ikatakot ang kandidato e unless alam mong hindi mo kaya makipag-exchange ng ideas (Candidates have nothing to be afraid about, unless you have nothing to say in the debates,” De Villa said. Meanwhile, Comelec commissioner Rene Sarmiento, who made the proposal Friday, said the participation or non-participation of the candidates in the debates would not be the basis in accepting their Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2010 polls. He said that although a debate would be a “good idea,” it will not be compulsory for the candidates. Sarmiento said the proposal for debates was inspired by the recent US presidential debates, adding that if ever there would be a sanction to those who would not participate in the discussion, it would not concern any legal injunctions. “The best sanction to them would be the missed opportunity to educate the people and show the public what their candidacy is all about,” he said. - GMANews.TV