Thread by @cnnphilippines

BREAKING: Comelec will no longer hold live presidential and vice presidential town hall debates, citing scheduling conflicts with candidates.

This comes after the fallout of the debates originally organized by private firm Impact Hub Manila/Vote Pilipinas. | @meltlopez

@meltlopez Instead, the COMELEC will have pre-taped panel interviews of candidates from May 2-6. #TheFilipinoVotes | @meltlopez

More election stories here: bit.ly/3LZ14R6

@meltlopez Comelec Comm. George Garcia: “In consideration of the inevitable scheduling conflicts as the candidates approach the homestretch of the campaign period, and as advised by the KBP, the COMELEC will now be adopting a Single Candidate/Team - Panel Interview format.” | @meltlopez

@meltlopez Garcia says the last leg of the debates will be converted into the “COMELEC- KBP Pilipinas Forum 2022” airing May 2-6.

Candidates will sit through a 1-hour pre-taped panel interview: “Kung saan nila gusto o kung gusto nila virtual o face to face kami mag-adjust” | @meltlopez

@meltlopez Garcia: Comelec sending out invitations to candidates this morning, will know their answer in the afternoon.

Several candidates earlier said they will no longer attend the rescheduled debates initially set on April 30-May 1, the last full weekend for campaigning. | @meltlopez

@meltlopez Garcia refuses to comment on Comelec-Vote Pilipinas debate fiasco as an internal probe is ongoing: "Too premature at this point. The presumption of innocence still stands until completion of the entire process." | @meltlopez

Read more: bit.ly/3kbTHsN

@meltlopez Several Comelec directors, including spox James Jimenez, were told to respond to Comm. Rey Bulay's April 22 memo on the debate fallout, including the request for Comelec to pay ₱15.3M to Vote Pilipinas for the debate hosting | @meltlopez

Related: bit.ly/36Fr7wF