Abella: Gov't ready to hold village, youth polls this October

THE government was ready to hold the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls on October 23, just in case Congress decides not to postpone it, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Saturday.

"While we adhere to the President's position of postponement of barangay and SK elections, the Department of Interior and Local Government, like the Commission on Elections, has always been prepared, if in case the barangay elections will push through," Abella said in a statement read over government-owned dzRB.

The poll body announced last Thursday that the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the barangay and SK polls will begin as scheduled this month, while Congress is yet to approve a measure postponing the twin elections.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the weeklong filing of the COCs was scheduled from September 23 to 30, while the campaign period was set from October 13 to 21.

The House of Representatives has approved on second reading the bill postponing the barangay and SK elections this year. The lawmakers are expected to pass it on third and final reading on September 11.

The Senate meanwhile has yet to approve its own version of the measure filed by Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III.

The President earlier expressed intent to postpone the elections of village executives and youth councils amid concerns that the candidates would use drug money for their respective campaigns.

On August 16, Duterte said "drug people" will win, if his administration allows the resumption of the twin elections.

"Everything seems to be not functioning well as we, citizens, envision it to be because of drugs," the Chief Executive said during the celebration of 19th anniversary of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption.

"I'm telling you: If you call for a barangay election now, the drug people will win. They have the money, they can but the municipal mayors who are really into it. It will begin to produce more shabu so they can win," he added.

Last year, the President signed into law a measure seeking to move the twin elections originally scheduled on October 31, 2016 to October 23, 2017. (SunStar Philippines/Ruth Abbey Gita)