Comelec waiting for Rody, Senate decision on polls

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is waiting for a definite decision from President Duterte and the Senate on whether to push through with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

“There is no clear direction from the Senate yet. And, of course, we also have to know whatever is the sentiment of the President regarding this matter,” Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said yesterday.

“We really hope they can have a decision already. Or at least tell us the direction they will be taking, even if it is not yet official,” he added.

Bautista said Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez announced that the House of Representatives will push for the postponement of the barangay elections but the Senate appeared to be still undecided.

A bill seeking to reset the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to October 2018 is pending before the Senate.

Duterte announced several times that he wants the barangay elections postponed again.