WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) organized three debates, ahead of the May 9 polls, to help the public scrutinize candidates running for the country’s highest post.
At 7 pm (Manila time) on Sunday, April 3, the Comelec holds its second PiliPinas debate for presidential bets. Nine of 10 presidential candidates are set to attend this second debate at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent.
The first presidential debate was held on March 19, and the third is scheduled on April 24.
Scroll down this page for live updates, context, analyses, and fact checks from Rappler as the debates unfold. Further down the page, click “load more.”
LATEST UPDATES
Robredo, Moreno push for Hague ruling as leverage in South China Sea row
In building international support to push back against China in the South China Sea, presidential candidates Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice President Leni Robredo delivered similar visions to use the Philippines’ landmark arbitral award as leverage in the long-running dispute.
The 2016 Hague ruling has been viewed not only as Manila’s ace in the sea row, but a victory that served all other nations that value a rules-based order in the South China Sea. The legal award secured by the Philippines against China had invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims of ownership over waters in the area, which serve as a vital trade route for many of the world’s largest economies.
Read more.
Robredo: Attendance in debates shows candidate’s respect to Comelec and Filipinos
In an ambush interview after the second Comelec presidential debate, Vice Presidential Leni Robredo says attendance in debates not only shows a candidate’s respect to the poll body, but to Filipinos. Presidential frontrunner Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., as usual, is absent in the debate.
Pacquiao on protecting OFWs: Philippines will be a friend to all nations
On protecting Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), presidential bet Manny Pacquiao ensures the country “will be a friend to all nations” and “America’s best friend, but will not allow ourselves to be bullied by other countries.”
Moreno, Pacquiao weigh in on the human rights situation in Myanmar
Presidential bets Isko Moreno and Manny Pacquiao express their thoughts on the human rights situation in Myanmar. Moreno says UN member-states should demand for accountability, while Pacquiao says the Philippines should look at its own human rights situation.
