(Screengrab from Comelec virtual presser)
MANILA – The opposing camps in the forthcoming Palawan plebiscite will be given a chance to present their sides to the voters through radio airtime, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said holding of broadcast campaigns would be better as they cannot hold debates due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“The Comelec will be conducting an air campaign starting next week, where we give the platform for pro and anti referendum. There will likely no debate as we are accustomed to thinking of such things. We have to be very careful because of the pandemic but we will be making sure that the opposing sides are given an opportunity to reach the public via radio,” he said during a virtual press conference.
He added that radio is the best medium for the plebiscite campaign in the province as it is experiencing problems with internet connectivity.
"We will make sure that during our air campaign we will have pro and anti together with our information delivery,” he added.
He said once they started the campaign via radio, they will be visiting every radio station in the province to be able to reach out to the people and for them to know about the March 13 plebiscite.
“Once we start the air campaign, we will use the radio. Comelec will be hitting every radio station in Palawan through the week before the plebiscite. Look out for that,” Jimenez added.
The campaign period for the plebiscite has started last February 11 and will run until March 11.
On plebiscite day, voters will be choosing to divide or not the province into three areas namely: Palawan Oriental, Palawan del Norte, and Palawan del Sur. (PNA)
