Garcia to voters: Look at poll bets’ stand on issues, not their personalities
Commission on Elections Chairperson George Garcia (INQUIRER.net file photo / NOY MORCOSO)
MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Friday told Filipino voters that they should select candidates in the 2025 elections based on the latter’s stand on issues, and not based on personalities.
Garcia underscored that it is important to observe the candidates during the campaign period and know their views on the country’s problems.
“Dapat matingnan at atin silang maobserbahan. Ano ang posisyon? Paano nila mapapababa ang presyo ng gasolina, bigas? Kahirapan, paano mapapababa?” Garcia said in an interview with Teleradyo 630.
(We should look and observe them. What is the position? How they can lower the prices of gasoline and rice? Poverty, how can it be decreased?)
“Yan po ay dapat obserbahan para di po tayo personality-based. Issue-based ang pagboto,” he emphasized.
(This should be observed so that we don’t vote based on personality. It should be issue-based.)
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This view was expressed after Garcia was asked if the poll body could compel candidates to attend debates for the 2025 elections.
He reiterated that while there is no law requiring election bets to participate in debates, he said all candidates should be mandated to present their platforms in front of a wide audience.
“Dapat may karampatang parusa na disqualification for refusal to attend election debates. Yun po. Kailangan sana namin ng batas sa bagay na ‘yan,” Garcia noted.
(There should be a corresponding penalty of disqualification or refusal to attend election debates. That’s it. We will need a law on that matter.)
He also said the passage of a law compelling candidates to attend debates will be a preparation for the 2028 elections.
He previously said the Comelec can endorse debates hosted by media outlets.
READ: Comelec chief wants participation of all Senate bets in debates
