Brgy, SK polls postponement doomed

Senate majority bloc has the numbers to block deferment of May 14 elections

Majority of the members of the Senate majority bloc have the numbers to block any move to postpone the scheduled May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, Sen. Francis Escudero said on Saturday.

But while the Senate majority bloc may have the numbers, any legislative measure to block or support the postponement of the elections is practically doomed because both the Senate and the House of Representatives go on a recess on Thursday.

This may only be overcome if Malacañang transmits to Congress a certified bill postponing the elections because this carries a force of law.

Still, the move to postpone the elections, even if it is a Palace-certified measure, may face a stumbling block in the Senate.

Escudero said that not one in the “Viber Group” of the Senate majority bloc wants the elections postponed.The Barangay and SK elections had already been postponed twice.

The senators had voiced their support for the elections to go on as scheduled as voters have to weigh in on allegations of Malacañang that 40 percent of barangay officials are linked to the multi-billion-peso illegal drug trade.

President Duterte had earlier favored the postponement, believing those involved in the drug trade have the money to finance their campaign.

If the elections would be postponed, Escudero raised the question on who should appoint new barangay officials.

“Should it be the mayor, governor, or the President?” he asked.