MANILA — The Senate on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections set for Dec. 5 to December next year.
The Senate voted with 17 affirmative votes, two negative votes, and zero abstentions to postpone the barangay and SK elections for a year later.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III opposed the postponement since it would essentially deprive an entire generation of potentially capable Filipino youth the chance to lead their sector through the SK system in the name of unfinished business.
“I, therefore, vote to continue with our already scheduled barangay and SK elections this December 2022 and call on all citizens of the Republic of the Philippines to be involved in this important and sacred electoral activity, ensure that genuine public servants are elected and thus begin the national transformation of our country to one which our children and grandchildren will be proud to call their home,” Pimentel said.
If the elections push through as scheduled on Dec. 5, he added, the incumbent barangay and SK officials will be able to serve a total of four and a half years.
“Not bad, considering that under existing policies, the term of office of these officials is three years,” Pimentel said.
He stated that the Covid-19 pandemic did not deprive authorities of time to serve their constituents; in fact, former President Rodrigo Duterte appointed barangay officials the first responders in offering help to the general public.
I agree to postpone Arafat and so election.
I agree to postponement of Barangay and SK election.