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.
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.
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.
There are rules that have been agreed on. Mar Roxas insisted on changing the rules last minute. He was the one that caused the delay.— Jejomar C. Binay (@VPJojoBinay) March 20, 2016
Netizens expressed their dismay not only to the candidates that caused the delay but to Comelec and TV5, the media sponsor of the debate.
Roxas, for his part, said rules should be allowed and the rules disallow a candidate to bring notes| @MJcayabyabINQ #PiliPinasDebates2016— Inquirerdotnet (@inquirerdotnet) March 20, 2016
Cheryl Cosim now explaining why there is a delay. Delay is not caused by @TV5manila, but by a certain candidate.#PiliPinasDebates2016— Alexis Banga, R.Chem (@alexis_banga) March 20, 2016
the stress level of the viewers atm is so high #PiliPinasDebates2016 #PiliPinas2016— Narumi (@mockingnam) March 20, 2016
Dear tv5 Ituloy na po ang debate! parang pagibig Lang yan, Kung ayaw nung isa , time to move on!! #PiliPinasDebates2016— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) March 20, 2016
TV5 & Comelec should still take the blame. The management of problems encountered is weak; it's their fault. #PiliPinasDebates2016— Jaypee (@jaypeegatmaitan) March 20, 2016
You can't blame the VP for bringing notes. Really. Kasalanan ng TV5 kung bakit, inamin na nga mismo ni Luchi ee. #PiliPinasDebates2016— Thea Calderon (@melovesthea) March 20, 2016
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.
— TV5 (@TV5manila) March 20, 2016
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."
