Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – The Commission on Elections said on Friday, April 22, that it has re-scheduled the presidential & vice-presidential debates slated this weekend, to April 30 and May 1 due to budget concerns between private partners.
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said in a briefing that the adjustment is due to financial issues between the venue provider, Sofitel Hotel and Vote Pilipinas.
Garcia added that a liaison of Sofitel approached Comelec to ask for help to collect funds from its partner Vote Pilipinas, however, the commissioner clarified that the poll body “is not part of the contract.”
Meanwhile, Commissioner Rey Bulay pointed out that the set debates may not be backed financially by funds of the state.
Due to the change of schedule, Bulay gave his apologies to the bets and guaranteed developments on the issue in a week’s time.
For the current debates, Comelec’s partner will be the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).
Garcia told reporters that they are now in the final steps of working out the venue for the debates as well as further details, citing that more information will be released on Saturday, April 23. TNF