Comelec: The rules are clear, no notes allowed

Published Mar 21, 2016, 11:20:41 PM

Updated Mar 22, 2016, 12:15:00 PM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — What are the rules in a presidential debate?

Social media lit up with questions on Sunday (March 20), when the second presidential debate spearheaded by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was delayed by more than an hour due to a miscommunication regarding the rules imposed by the poll body.

Ina Andolong, a senior correspondent of CNN Philippines, reported that Vice President Jejomar Binay – who is the standard-bearer of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) – brought notes with him for the debate, which the other candidates spoke up against.

Andolong tweeted that Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said that debate participants were not allowed to bring notes to the podium.

Debate delayed for more than an hour now because Binay brought notes with him and other candidates are complaining. @cnnphilippines
— Ina Andolong (@InaAndolong) March 20, 2016

But TV5 News chief Luchi Cruz Valdez admitted that she told Binay's camp, not knowing about the rule, that the VP can bring. @cnnphilippines
— Ina Andolong (@InaAndolong) March 20, 2016

Comelec chairman Andy Bautista on stage: You cannot bring notes in the podium. @cnnphilippines
— Ina Andolong (@InaAndolong) March 20, 2016

Latest from this section