The House of Representatives approved a bill to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections from October 23 to May next year. The bill passed 213-10 and will allow President Duterte to appoint officers-in-charge to replace officials on the drug watchlist. This is the second postponement of the elections amid concerns that drug lords could fund candidates. The Senate committee endorsed approving the bill to postpone the elections in the Senate as well. Some senators opposed the further postponement.
The House of Representatives approved a bill to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections from October 23 to May next year. The bill passed 213-10 and will allow President Duterte to appoint officers-in-charge to replace officials on the drug watchlist. This is the second postponement of the elections amid concerns that drug lords could fund candidates. The Senate committee endorsed approving the bill to postpone the elections in the Senate as well. Some senators opposed the further postponement.
The House of Representatives approved a bill to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections from October 23 to May next year. The bill passed 213-10 and will allow President Duterte to appoint officers-in-charge to replace officials on the drug watchlist. This is the second postponement of the elections amid concerns that drug lords could fund candidates. The Senate committee endorsed approving the bill to postpone the elections in the Senate as well. Some senators opposed the further postponement.
The House of Representatives approved a bill to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections from October 23 to May next year. The bill passed 213-10 and will allow President Duterte to appoint officers-in-charge to replace officials on the drug watchlist. This is the second postponement of the elections amid concerns that drug lords could fund candidates. The Senate committee endorsed approving the bill to postpone the elections in the Senate as well. Some senators opposed the further postponement.
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Voting 213-10, the House of Representatives approve on third and final reading yesterday a consolidated bill seeking to postpone the baranggay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Oct. 23.
6 members of the Makabayan bloc – Rep. Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela party-list Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis France Castro and Antonio Tinio of the alliance of concerned teachers, Sarah Jane Elago of kabataan and Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna – as well as Reps. Raul del Mar of Cebu, Tom Villarin of Akbayan, Gary Alejano of Magdalo and Ramon Rocamora of Siquijor vote against the measure resetting the elections. “It’s one postponement too many,“ Del Mar said.
At the Senate, the committee on electoral reforms endorsed the plenary approval of a bill postponing the elections to May next year. The bill authorizes President Duterte to appoint officers-in-charge to replace officials on the drug watchlist.
If approved, it will be the second time that the barangay and SK elections will be postponed amid concerns that drug lords will fund candidates. The polls were initially set in October last year.
Under the consolidated bill passed by the House, incumbent barangay and SK officials will continue to function in a holdover capacity.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, one of the authors, said Congress has enough time to pass the measure.
“We hope Malacañang will certify the bill as urgent to make this possible,” Barbers said.
Rep. Jericho Nograles of the party-list Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta said there could still be a debate, but is confident on the passage of the measure.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said postponing the elections would deprive the people of their constitutional right to choose their barangay leaders.
In a letter to the electoral reforms committee, detained Sen. Leila de Lima said she agreed with the position of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform and National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections that “a free election affords us the possibility of replacing barangay officials perceived to be narco politicians, through democratic means.”
Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV said the SK polls should push through in October, noting that the implementation of the SK Reform Act is long overdue.
