May 14 Brgy, SK Polls Sealed – Sen. Villar

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

DAGUPAN CITY – With members of Congress who had already embarked on their customary recess and without a senate bill to extend the village poll, the May 14 election is already a done deal, a senator said.

 “Tapos na ang Senado, tapos na ang Kongreso. Wala na kami, e (inaudible). Tapos na iyong barangay election,” Senator Cynthia Villar cited the March 24, 2018 recess of the members of the Houses of Senate and Representatives where they would be returning back to their jobs at the August Chambers a day after the May 13, 2018.

WOMEN'S MARCH - An animated Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez, Senator Cynthia Villar, and Pangasinan 4th District Congressman Christopher de Venecia before the start of the Women's March held at the Stadia in Dagupan City. The other guest of Mayor Fernandez on the event held last Friday were Cagayan Valley Province Board Member Perla Tumaliuan, Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman and PhilHealth Regional Vice President Atty. Rodolfo Del Rosario Jr.MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

Without a sponsorship bill at the Upper House where senators discuss, debate, and vote  in three readings any extension to collaborate the wishes of the members of the House of Representatives who voted 211-29-0 to hold the contest in October 8, 2018, the third attempt to postpone the village election is already dead.

Senate Minority Leader Senator Franklin Drilon deplored earlier the scheme to move the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to October this year to synchronize them with a plebiscite for a new Constitution.
Many senators were against the third postponement of the polls and any plot to railroad the constitutional amendment to accommodate the federalist form of government  President Rodrigo Duterte wants.

In October 2016, President Duterte signed a law that moved the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from October 31, 2016 to October 23, 2017.

The October 23, 2017 poll was again moved through the acts of Congress to May 14 this year.

The Department of Interior & Local Government said that President Duterte did not only want the barangay elections extended from October 23, 2017 but he also wanted to end the term of all barangay officials and replace them with his appointees.

The reason of the President postponing the polls and handpicking village officials was to avoid narcotics monies to influence the election.
Barangay election in the Philippines, according to law, provides that each village includes a chief called Punong Barangay, the seven members of the Council called each as Kagawad, and the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman who are candidates submit themselves for the voters for a fifteen days campaign period.