Senate panels recommend postponement of barangay, SK polls

The Senate committees on electoral reforms and people’s participation, local government, and finance have recommended the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections initially set in May 2020.

Under Committee Report No. 4, the committees recommended holding the synchronized elections on the second Monday of May 2023, and one year after every national and local elections.

Senator Imee Marcos, who chairs the electoral reforms committee, is expected to sponsor the report to the plenary.

At least 14 senators have signed the committee report.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, in a note on his signature, said he concurs with the postponement but has reservations on the date of the elections.

Marcos earlier said she welcomes the objections of some of her colleagues.

“Alam ko may mag-o-object sa time, okay lang pero ang akin ‘yun ang opinyon ng barangay, SK, Comelec.  Sabi nga namin sobrang haba naman,” she told reporters on Sunday.

She also expressed hope it will be the last postponement of the barangay and SK polls.

“Sana ito na ang kahuli-hulihang postponement. Ang sinasabi ko sana after every national elections, after one year yung barangay lagi na lang para alam na natin na three years, ito na lang ang last postponement sana,” she said. — RSJ, GMA News