The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Friday rescheduled its presidential and vice-presidential debates for tomorrow and on Sunday, April 30 and May 1, respectively.
Commissioner George Garcia made the announcement in a press conference, adding that they have partnered with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) to hold the debates.
"Nag-offer po ang KBP ng kanilang kahandaan, ng kanilang suporta at tulong, sabi nga nila para sa bayan, para ma-hold ang debate," said Garcia.
(The KBP offered its readiness, support, and help, as they said for the country, to hold the debate.)
"Sila ang partner namin, walang gastos on the part of the commission, for free," he added.
(They are our partners for free. No expenses on our part.)
The postponement came after reports that Sofitel Philippine Plaza is demanding Impact Hub Manila, organizer of the COMELEC debates, to pay about P14 million in partial payment for their services.
Sofitel is the venue of the previous presidential debates held on March 19, 20, and April 3, for a total of P20.595 million that will be paid in four tranches from March 16 to 20.
According to reports from Rappler and ABS-CBN News, a demand letter from Sofitel owner Philippine Plaza Holdings was sent to Impact Hub after the checks were signed by Impact Hub Manila's chief executive officer Ces Rondario bounced for being drawn against sufficient funds.
The reports, citing the demand letter, said that Philippine Plaza Holdings has yet to receive P14.095 million from Impact Hub.
If not paid, Sofitel threatened to suspend all the remaining deliverables under the event contract.
The COMELEC and Impact Hub have yet to issue statements regarding the matter.
