MANILA—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is supporting the holding of debates ahead of next month’s Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections (BPE), saying the platform can encourage candidates to campaign based on issues and policies.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said that debates could shift election campaigns away from personal attacks and crowd-drawing activities toward substantive discussions.

“We welcome that. It allows us to return to campaigning based on substance — campaigning grounded in principles, rather than personal attacks or the practice of hauling in crowds,” he said.

Garcia said debates remain important beyond the upcoming BARMM polls, including in the 2028 elections.

“Campaigns should focus on issues that matter to the public. We support that,” he added.

Asked whether the Comelec is considering organizing debates for the May 2028 presidential elections, Garcia said, “We are considering it.”

He said, however, that the poll body should not be the primary organizer or funder of such events, citing problems encountered during the 2022 election debates.

“However, in our view, what happened in 2022 wasn’t right. We need a media entity to sponsor the debates, just like in 2016. The Comelec should merely be an observer or a guest; we shouldn’t be the ones spending, nor should public funds be used. But we will certainly encourage media entities to host debates,” he said.

“We will support that. We want to avoid a repeat of the issues that arose during the 2022 debates,” he added.

Garcia said debates provide voters with an opportunity to assess candidates based on their preparedness and positions on issues.

“It is better to participate. This allows our fellow citizens to gauge the preparedness of the candidates—not just for the presidency, but for all positions—and to see their stance on issues vital to the nation. That is the value of a debate,” Garcia said.

The Comelec’s position comes ahead of next month’s BARMM parliamentary elections, where debates could provide candidates a platform to present their positions and policy priorities to voters.

The poll body’s experience in 2022 has also shaped its approach to future debates. The Comelec was forced to cancel the final rounds of the PiliPinas Debates after event partner Impact Hub Manila incurred an unpaid debt of PHP14 million to venue host Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila./PNA