EMPTY podiums will be left on stage during CNN Philippines’ presidential and vice-presidential debates for the “UniTeam” tandem of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio who have decided to skip the event.
CNN Philippines president Benjamin Ramos said empty podiums would be placed in case the candidates changed their minds and decided to attend.
“We have already set up podiums for the 10 presidential candidates, so we will just leave it blank and just wait for them just in case [they change their] mind. Hindi natin masabi baka magbago [ang] isip [nila],” Ramos told the Varsitarian.
Marcos, who is gunning for the presidency, will not attend due to a “conflict of schedule,” his camp said. Meanwhile, his running mate, Duterte, did not specify a reason.
Nine presidential candidates will attend the debates on Feb. 27: former palace spokesperson Ernesto Abella, labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, former defense chief Norberto Gonzales, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Faisal Mangondato, Jose Montemayor Jr., Sen. Manny Pacquiao, and Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
Seven vice-presidential candidates will be present on Feb. 26: Walden Bello, Rizalito David, Manny Lopez, Willie Ong, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Carlos Serapio, and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza withdrew his previous confirmation to attend the vice-presidential debate due to a knee replacement surgery.
The debates on both days will be held at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On-site and virtual audience
Ramos said only a few guests would be allowed on-site during the debates because of Covid-19 protocols.
On-site guests for the two-day debate must present their vaccination cards and undergo reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) swab tests within 72 hours and an antigen test within 24 hours.
“We will be very, very strict with that. Medyo mag-iingat talaga. So, we will follow the requirements of UST and the Comelec … for [the] debates,” Ramos said.
Aside from the on-site guests, there will also be a virtual audience for the debates.
The debates will be aired live on CNN Philippines Free TV Channel 9, cnnphilippines.com and CNN Philippines’ official Facebook account.
