Romualdez says over P8B could be saved if barangay polls postponed

More than P8 billion worth of savings could be generated if the barangay elections this year would be postponed, House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said Thursday.

In an ambush interview, Romualdez was asked what could be the benefits if the barangay elections in December 2022 will be postponed.

"'Yun po ang isang hiling ng mga barangay chairpersons doon sa Liga ng mga Barangay. So we shall consider that kaya if that will be taken up immediately, Disyembre na po ang ano barangay elections so those will be one of our items in our priority agenda..." Romualdez said.

[That's one of the requests of our barangay chairpersons from the Liga ng mga Barangay. So we shall consider that ... the barangay elections is scheduled this December so those will be one of our items in our priority agenda.] 

"Unang-una magkakaroon tayo ng savings na P8.141 billion that we can deploy for COVID response and economic stimulus, the ayuda and all that the country needs especially those that are suffering from the pandemic," he added.

[First of all, we can generate savings up to P8.141 billion that we can deploy for COVID response and economic stimulus, aid and all that the country needs especially those that are suffering from the pandemic.]

Romualdez, cousin of presumptive president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., is backed by prominent lawmakers and political parties to be the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In November of last year, a bill was filed at the House of Representatives seeking to postpone the December 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to May 2024.

During the campaign, Marcos said that instead of postponing barangay elections, he pushed for the amendment of the Local Government Code.

He said he would push for a five-year term for barangay officials if he wins the presidency. — RSJ, GMA News