THE Commission on Elections is on the right track in proposing compulsory debates for candidates, both for national and local positions.
This, we hope, will give the electorate the opportunity to closely examine the qualifications of candidates and what they propose to do once elected to public office.
The Constitution, after all, only lists down the most basic qualifications for all candidates: they should have reached a certain age, are Filipino citizens, able to read and write, registered voters, and residents of the Philippines.
Those are the basic requirements. But candidates should be able to explain to voters what they stand for, whether on national or local issues and concerns, and to offer a clear platform on what they intend to do after they have been sworn into public office.
The fundamental law also makes it very clear: “Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.”
Voters should be able to sift the chaff from the grain, so to speak, and not rely solely on the basis of name recall or popularity of candidates.
Should you vote for a candidate who declines to explain what he wants to do in public office and says that he would do so only when he has been declared among the winners? Of course not.
Voters should be able to distinguish between candidates who make false or empty promises and those who have the proven competence and expertise to make a difference in the lives of Filipinos.
And we need to remind the electorate that no less than the fundamental law frowns on political dynasties: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”
The Comelec, as explained by Chairman George Garcia, has the power given to it by the Constitution to issue rules and regulations pertaining to elections.
Hence, it can compel compulsory attendance by candidates in public debates, in the same way that it can regulate the size of campaign posters, or require the registration of social media accounts, violations of which can lead to a candidate’s disqualification from the race.
What the Comelec wants is for public debates to be conducted by media would be “just and fair to everyone” and that all candidates will have equal opportunity whether they belong to any party or not, or whatever their beliefs are.
Candidates should comply with Comelec guidelines or else they will face the corresponding punishment if they fail to do so.
Debates are important as these allow voters to know the stand of candidates on key political, economic and social issues.
This is democracy at work and runs counter to vote-buying, intimidation or coercion that undermines our goal of free and fair elections.