A Preliminary Inquiry on the Merits and Legal Basis of Presidential Debates in the Philippines
Orville B. Tatcho | Clifford C. Chan
Discipline: Essay
Abstract:
As the Philippine presidency is imbued with great discretionary
powers, presidential candidates must appear before the public to
prove themselves worthy to be elected. Drawing from the legal basis of
debates in Philippine election campaigns and the literature on political
communication and rhetoric, this essay outlines the merits of mandating
candidate attendance in debates despite the limitations of the said
forum. A preliminary inquiry into the legal and logistical prerequisites
for presidential debates is also presented as a prospective roadmap for
institutionalizing debates in the country.
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