Comelec rejects auto barangay polls

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) does not favor the automation of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections whether this year or in 2012.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez also said holding automated barangay and SK elections in 2012 would be unreasonable because the commission would still have to prepare for the 2013 midterm elections.

“If we are automating the 2013 national elections, which we need to do, what would then be our remaining preparation period if we also have to conduct an automated barangay elections in 2012,” Jimenez said

He pointed out that the Comelec would only be able to prepare for the 2013 midterm elections by the end of next year because of the ongoing preparations for the upcoming barangay and SK elections in October and the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in August next year.

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri has filed a bill to postpone the barangay and SK elections for two years because of budgetary constraints.

Jimenez also said there is no need to automate the upcoming barangay and SK elections because the results would be known immediately.                    

“Unlike in other elections, there is no need for consolidation in barangay elections, so the winner can be proclaimed very fast. It’s not really worth to automate it,” he said.

Comelec officials are presenting their position in a meeting with senators today.

“We will be submitting our position paper that contains possible scenario if we will postpone the October elections and hold an automated barangay elections in 2012. We believe our senators are reasonable enough to understand that it is not possible,” Jimenez said.

The Comelec also favors the proposed abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has drafted a bill which has among its provisions the abolition of the youth council because of its supposed failure to deliver basic services to the community.

In place of the SK, a youth representative would be elected to the barangay council.

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said abolishing the SK would prevent the youth from absorbing the negative side of politics.

“The young also learn early about the negative side of politics like commissions in construction projects and the parents also intervene in their children’s early political career,” he said.

He also said it would be difficult for them to balance studies with the workload of a political career.

Two legislators, however, oppose the planned abolishment of the youth council. Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino said the SK is meant to encourage the youth to take an active part in governance.

“We don’t discourage students to join student councils since we believe these extracurricular activities can improve the leadership skills of the youth. We should view SK in the same way. SK is even broader and better since it also involves out of school youth,’ he said. “If President Aquino will insist this argument, will he also discourage students to stay away from campus politics?”

He said abolishing the youth council would not reduce corruption in local government because SK officials cannot access funds without the approval of local officials.

“If there are corrupt SK members, blame LGU (local government) leaders and even national leaders for being bad role models,” Palatino said.

He said most SK officials are performing their duties and there have also been many local government units that have had successful partnerships with SK officials. Palatino also strongly opposes the proposed election of a single youth representative to the barangay council. 

“This proposal is inconsistent with the second argument that youth should not be exposed to corruption at a young age. We don’t want the SK to be contaminated with corruption but we can allow a single youth leader to take the risk of being seduced by corruption practices?” he said.

Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro said the mandate of the Sangguniang Kabataan should be reviewed.

He said the system can be strengthened by removing sources of corruption to dispel the perception that the SK is a breeding ground for corrupt officials.

“We should maintain a representative from the youth sector through the Sangguniang Kabataan less the budgeting, disbursement and procurement processes,” he said. “The SK falls prey and is taken advantage of by unwieldy and unscrupulous contractors.” - with Paolo Romero