COMMISSION on Elections Spokesman James Jimenez said that debates help the public to get to know the candidates running for public office.

In an online briefing on Thursday, the spokesman said that the presence of aspirants in debates is crucial and non-appearance on such events should be considered as a “red flag.”

Jimenez said that Comelec’s only goal in holding presidential debates is to “interrogate their positions, their beliefs and so on,” as they will be the chief executive for the next six years.

“Whether or not they come to the debate, it doesn’t really matter to the Comelec. It matters to the people,” Jimenez said.

“I think it’s very important in recognition of how important it is with the people, that we acknowledge that they fail to show up. It’s not going to be glossed over, it’s not going to be ignored, there’s gonna have a podium right there, with their name on it and no face above it,” he added.

Concerned netizens have mixed reactions on debates after presidential aspirant Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. turned down an interview due to a conflict in his schedule.

His team said that the aspirant is willing to appear in interviews at a later date.