HomePCS Reviewvol. 14 no. 1 (2022)

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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