Several netizens slammed the Commission of Elections (COMELEC) after it decided to give in to the request of Marcos Jr to give the debate topics in advance.
On February 11, Marcos Jr’s national campaign manager Benhur Abalos wrote a letter to the COMELEC stating their candidate’s willingness to attend the COMELEC sponsored debates provided that they will first be allowed to know the debate format and the issues and topics to be discussed.
And on Monday, February 28, COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez said that to be fair, the commission has approved Marcos’s request and it will now give the candidates the general idea of the topics that will be discussed during the debate.
“We will give the candidates a general idea of what the topics to be discussed are, but what we will not give them are specific questions.”
The swift decision raised some eyebrows of netizens who chided COMELEC for being too lenient with Marcos’s camp.
Dr. Gia Sison in her tweet said the decision [clearly] tells the commission’s leaning toward the Marcos’s camp.
“Isa lang ang nag request give in agad? Di kayo mashadong halata @COMELEC”
Isa lang ang nag request give in agad? Di kayo mashadong halata @COMELEC https://t.co/WIyIXhuuy2
— Dr. Gia Sison (@giasison) March 1, 2022
Pinoy Ako Blog author asked how COMELEC is fair in their decision. It was only Marcos Jr who requested it, in the first place.
“Paano to naging fair? Eh si BBM lang nag request nito? Patawa kayo @jabjimenez 
”
https://twitter.com/PinoyAkoBlog/status/1498459721795530752
@mave_nicegirl meanwhile called Marcos Jr a joke since–he projected himself to be bright and intellectual–how come he needed to know the topics beforehand.
“Just because someone requested, nag-give in naman kayo Akala ko ba sobrang talino na nyan. Di niya ba kayang makipag-debate without knowing the topics beforehand? 
What a joke.”
https://twitter.com/mave_nicegirl/status/1498476103601897474
Blogger Rod Magaru also blasted the COMELEC saying the decision only caters “One Trapo.”
He also quipped if the subjects to be discussed are too hard like Molecular Mass or Pythagorean theorem that needed to be provided in advance.
“You mean “TO BE FAIR TO ONE TRAPO?” What question would surprise them ba? Alangan naman tanungin nyo sila ng Pythagorean Theorem? Or molecular mass ng Glucose Molecule? Aclang two!”
You mean "TO BE FAIR TO ONE TRAPO?" What question would surprise them ba? Alangan naman tanungin nyo sila ng Pythagorean Theorem? Or molecular mass ng Glucose Molecule? Aclang two! https://t.co/FTbSY4x9hH
— Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) March 1, 2022
@arshiethromycin meanwhile chided COMELEC for being “marupok” with just a single request.
“Isang request lang payag agad. Gaano kayo karupok, comelec?”
Isang request lang payag agad. Gaano kayo karupok, comelec? https://t.co/MD7jQgyFJv
— Arshie Larga (@Arshiethromycin) March 1, 2022
Kapamilya Partylist nominee Jarry Gracio, on the other hand, poked fun at the COMELEC saying even in gay beauty contests, topics are supposed to be a surprise. It’s funny that for a presidential debate it will be provided in advance just because it was requested by Marcos Jr.
“Jusko, COMELEC, sa beaucon nga ng mga beks, surprise ang mga topic, tas sa presidential debate, ibibigay ninyo ang general topics to be discussed dahil lang nag-request Marcos Jr?!’
Jusko, COMELEC, sa beaucon nga ng mga beks, surprise ang mga topic, tas sa presidential debate, ibibigay ninyo ang general topics to be discussed dahil lang nag-request Marcos Jr?! https://t.co/R7yroSl5Qq
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) March 1, 2022
Former IATF adviser Dr. Tony Leachon also thrown shade against the COMELEC, saying it seemed that the Marcos camp are the one making COMELEC rules given the swift positive response to their request.
He also took a stab at candidate Marcos Jr, saying with that kind of request only showed that he still lacked grit and stability.
“Who’s making the rules? Wow. I dream of a president that would someday fight for us; somebody that has the courage to stand firm; somebody that would rally the herd through the power of communication. A brave heart. 
But I guess, his spine needs more grit and stability.”
https://twitter.com/DrTonyLeachon/status/1498272466497531908
@dita_manila meanwhile commented that with the COMELEC’s decision, there’s no more reason for Marcos Jr. to skip the debate because his request has been granted.
“Oh Ayan ha! May Topics na! So wala nang rason si #MarcosDuwag para MagAbsent sa @COMELEC Debate! Cancel na muna ang mga Sortie ni Junior at kailangan magMemorize ng mga Sagot si Baby M!!!’
Oh Ayan ha! May Topics na! So wala nang rason si #MarcosDuwag para MagAbsent sa @COMELEC Debate! Cancel na muna ang mga Sortie ni Junior at kailangan magMemorize ng mga Sagot si Baby M!!! https://t.co/dwdijgMH2I
— Maldita of Manila (@DITA_manila) March 1, 2022
Marcos Jr. is a frequent debate skipper, especially those sponsored by respected media entities and personalities that his camp thinks as ‘biased.’
His latest debate outing was with SMNI, owned by the FBI-most wanted Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and who publicly endorsed the Marcos Jr.-Duterte-Carpio tandem.
