Philippines

From the start, the Comelec said it did not want to force candidates to join the presidential debates for the 2016 elections.

Every one of the six presidential candidates on Wednesday committed to participate in a series of debates being organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and various media entities.

All is set for the debates of candidates for president and vice president in the May elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday urged voters to participate in the upcoming presidential and vice presidential debates by coming up with questions that would be asked the candidates.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said presidential and vice presidential candidates in the 2016 elections are not required to attend the debates that it will organize with media organizations.

The presidential and vice-presidential debates are on following the signing of memorandums of agreement between the Commission on Elections and media organizations.

After announcing that his presidential bid is now on the table, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Monday expressed his lack of interest in joining debates with other aspirants for the country's top post.

Perhaps, the most important takeaway that the public receives from the debates is to see the candidates in situations that are unscripted and uncontrolled.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer and its election partner, GMA-7 are set to hold on Feb. 21, in Mindanao, the first presidential debate for 2016 balloting that will seek to tackle pressing issues centered on peace and order, poverty reduction, agriculture and Charter change.

Candidates running for president in the May 2016 elections have at least four months to prepare for the debates to be organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The Comelec plans to stage one presidential debate in Luzon, one in the Visayas, and one in Mindanao, as a senator pushes for a livestreamed event.

Presidential and vice presidential debates are necessary to give voters an idea of whom they are voting for and the platforms and programs they espouse. More important, voters want answers to issues and to criticisms of the candidates.