House OKs bill postponing barangay, SK polls

Voting 213-10, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading yesterday a consolidated bill seeking to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Oct. 23.

Six members of the Makabayan bloc – Rep. Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela partylist, 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 voted 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-incharge 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.