COMELEC: Palace statement to end 'uncertainty' of village polls' fate

James Jimenez

INTRAMUROS, Manila - The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is hoping that Malacanang's pronouncement stating that this year's Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will push through, will put an end to the uncertainty on whether to postpone it or not.

"This is something that the people should be aware of because the President is all too often used as an excuse (to postpone BSKE)," COMELEC spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview Tuesday.


On Monday, the Palace announced that the village and youth polls will push through as scheduled on May 14.

"PRRD wants #BSKE2018 to push thru as (re-re-)schedules.  The #COMELEC stands ready to comply.  So should everyone else *cough* be," said Jimenez in his Twitter account (@jabjimenez).

There are two bills filed in the House of Representatives seeking to again postpone the Barangay and SK polls, to accommodate a plebiscite for proposed Constitutional amendments.

The bill sponsored by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel is looking to defer the polls to October 2018, while the measure being pushed by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali would like to hold it on May 2019.

Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the Senate seems not supportive of another postponement of the barangay and youth elections.

The BSKE was supposed to be held on Oct. 31, 2016, but was moved to Oct. 23, 2017, and eventually rescheduled to May 14 this year. [Ferdinand Patinio, PNA]