Duterte signs law postponing brgy, SK polls
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law the bill postponing the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, originally scheduled for October 31, this year, to October 23, 2017, ABS-CBN News reported yesterday.
Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Banaag confirmed that the parcel containing the signed law is on its way to Malacañang Palace, citing information from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
“It was not said as to whether it was signed in Davao or Brunei but Executive Secretary Medialdea is awaiting the parcel for proper transmittal. We’ll wait today para ma-transmit ito sa official proper channels,” she said in a press briefing.
Duterte in August said he is in favor of postponing the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan, amid fears that drug money will be used in the elections.
The proposal was backed by some members of the legislative branch, citing various compelling reasons for the postponement. Congress later approved a bill postponing the barangay and SK elections.
The Commission on Elections subsequently scaled down its own preparations for this October’s election. It was supposed to resume voters’ registration earlier this month, but was not able to do so because of the absence of the signed law for the postponement.