Surigao congressman files bill to postpone barangay and SK polls

Surigao Rep. JOHNNY T. PIMENTEL

SURIGAO City (17 Feb 2018) - Surigao del Sur Congressman Johnny Pimentel seeks to postpone the barangay and SK elections scheduled this May 2018 to another date in October 2018.

House Bill No. 7072 filed by Representative Pimentel seeks to give the Commission on Elections and other involved agencies additional time to further ensure credible and effective barangay elections.

Last week, Oriental Mindoro Congressman Reynaldo Umali announced in Agusan del Sur that he too filed a bill seeking the postponement of the May 2018 barangay and SK polls.

"My bill is for (the postponement until) May 2019, but Congressman Johnny Pimentel's bill is for October 2018.  I am okay with either," Umali explained.

Umali said a plebiscite to ratify a new constitution may coincide with the barangay and SK elections should lawmakers approve its postponement.

The House is in the process of amending the 1987 Constitution towards a shift to a federal form of government.

Should Congress approve either of the proposals for postponement, it would be the third time for the village elections to be moved.  The barangay and SK elections were originally scheduled for October 2016, which was moved to October 2017.  It was again reset to May 2018.

In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte urged his allies in the legislature to move the polls to a later date, claiming it may be rigged by barangay officials who are involved in the illegal drug trade.

Earlier this week, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he saw no reason to postpone the elections again, but also said he would listen to the consensus of the majority on the matter.