By Gabriela Baron
Impact Hub Manila, the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) debate production partner, said its failure to pay Sofitel for hosting the series of presidential and vice presidential debates is a “misunderstanding.”
In a statement, through its lawyer Atty. Gideon Pena, Impact Hub Manila said it will “refrain from publicly divulging” information about the issue and vowed to discuss the matter with the hotel and other stakeholders “privately.”
“Impact Hub Manila does not wish to sidetrack the public from what truly matters. It does not matter where the debates will be held. It only matters that the debates still be held,” the statement read.
“The public should have more opportunities to know the platform, background, and credentials of those running for public office,” it further read.
Sofitel was set to be the venue of the third round of the Comelec-sponsored debates.
The debates have been moved from April 23 and 24 to April 30 and May 1 after Impact Hub failed to settle its financial obligations to Sofitel amounting to P14 million. – ngs
