DELAYED PiliPinas Debates 2016 earns ire of netizens, TV5 issues statement

MANILA, Philippines - The second leg of PiliPinas Debates 2016 was delayed by an hour and half on Sunday, March 20 as one of the candidates said he needs notes for the debate.

DELAYED Pilipinas Debates 2016 earns ire of netizens, TV5 issues statement


A TV5 report confirmed Vice-President Jejomar Binay wanted to bring his notes to the debate stage, which is a violation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) rules on the debate.

Binay claimed he has the assurance from TV5 veteran journalist Luchi Cruz Valdez that he could bring his notes. He said former DILG secretary Mar Roxas insisted on changing the rules on last minute.


Netizens expressed their dismay not only to the candidates that caused the delay but to Comelec and TV5, the media sponsor of the debate.







The debate was supposed to start at 5 p.m.

In a statement by TV5, some presidential candidates are seeking last minute clarifications from COMELEC on the debates rules.


TV 5 anchor Cheryl Cosim said the network is ready to air the debate on the agreed time.

"Kung kayo ay inip an inip na, kami rin po," Cosim said at 5:47 p.m.

UPDATE: TV5 issued full statement on the delay of UP-Cebu presidential debate:

"On behalf of the management of TV5, the President, Mr. Noel Lorenzana and the head of News, Ms. Luchi Cruz-Valdes, would like to apologize for the inordinate delay in the 2nd Presidential debate that was brought about solely by the confusion on the rules implemented by the COMELEC on the Debate.

In the end, the Management of TV5, the COMELEC and the presidential candidates, have agreed that despite the technical and procedural issues, it is more important to allow the debate to proceed and not deprive the public of their right to witness this historical, exciting and Aksyon-filled event."



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