Senator Bong Go has expressed support for the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
“I support the postponement of the elections as it will give the next President a chance to work hand in hand with the new Barangay and SK officials to synchronize and accomplish their projects and programs,” Go said at a recent Senate session.
The legislator also suggested that the next barangay and SK elections be held in October 2022 immediately after the next national elections scheduled in May 2022. The lawmaker added that he is also open to holding it in May 2023, as suggested by other senators and stakeholders.
“By holding the next barangay and SK elections immediately after the presidential elections, a new president can work with newly elected barangay and SK officials and set the direction for programs to be implemented in the barangay level,” the senator said.
“They can immediately buckle down to work after being elected.”
“They do not need to wait. They can immediately buckle down to work after being elected,” he added, clarifying why he is proposing to hold it in October of 2022, as stated in his filed bill.
The plenary is currently deliberating Senate Bill (SB) No. 1043, which seeks to postpone the elections from May 2020 to after the 2022 presidential elections.
If the bill passes into law, the term of current barangay and SK officials will not be limited to just two years.
Go said the current barangay and SK officials are not responsible for postponement of the last scheduled election. “Hindi po kasalanan ng mga barangay officials ang postponement ng nakaraang eleksyon. Dalawang taon lang po ang natitira sa kanila.”
“It is only fitting and proper that they be given sufficient and adequate time to properly implement and enact the projects and programs they have championed, for the benefit of their constituents, who expect nothing less from them,” he added.
“The postponement is for the constituents.”
Go also said that the “postponement, more than anything, is for the constituents.”
Go filed SB 201 in July which seeks the postponement of the barangay and SK elections. At the joint hearing by the Senate Committees on Electoral Reforms, Local Government, and Finance, Go’s bill was consolidated with SB 222, SB 671, SB 869, and SB 875 which were filed by other senators, resulting in SB 1043, a substitute bill.
In a statement, Go also expressed his appreciation for barangay and SK officials. “As I have said with conviction many times before, our barangay officials are at the forefront when it comes to the delivery of the most basic and essential services to our people.”
“Sila rin ang nasa unahan sa ating matinding kampanya laban sa iligal na droga at kriminalidad. (They’re also at the forefront of our intensive campaign against illegal drugs and crimes.) They are very important when it comes to addressing the most perennial problems faced by our countrymen,” he added.
Go stressed that aside from seeking to postpone the barangay and SK elections, he has filed other legislative measures for the benefit of barangay officials.
“In recognition of their unquantifiable contributions to the welfare our people, I have also filed Senate Bill 391, which seeks to provide a Magna Carta for Barangays, and Senate Bill 392, which mandates the appointment of Barangay Health Workers. These measures recognize the invaluable contributions and the crucial roles played by our barangay officials,” he said.
Like Go, Senator Francis Tolentino also expressed his support for SB 1043.
Senator Bong Revilla also expressed his support after interpellating Senator Imee Marcos, sponsor of SB 1043 and Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reform.
Go ended his statement by calling on the plenary to approve the bill. “I urge my colleagues in this august body to support this measure. Let us give the barangay leaders chosen by the people enough time to implement all the necessary and essential programs promised to them.”