Namfrel bucks barangay, SK polls postponement
MANILA, Philippines - The National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) is not amenable to postponing the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Oct. 23.
Eric Alvia, Namfrel secretary-general, said holding the elections next year is too close to the midterm elections in 2019, and could “overwhelm” the Commission on Elections.
“It will crowd out and make preparations tight…The midterm elections will also be affected by the outcome of the proposed barangay elections,” Alvia said.
Last week, the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms approved a consolidated measure seeking to postpone the barangay and SK elections to the second Monday of May 2018 amid concerns that drug money would be used.
Under the proposal, incumbent barangay officials will remain in their posts in a holdover capacity.
Alvia said the elections should push through as scheduled, noting that it had been postponed last year. The elections were initially set on Oct. 31, 2016.
“Elections should be conducted frequently and with regularity to provide citizens every opportunity to affirm the mandate and approval or disapproval of their leaders. This is also a means for citizens to participate in governance,” Alvia said.
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