CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is not in favor of the postponement of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections this year, saying it is like deferring the freedom of the public to vote.
President Rodrigo Duterte last Tuesday announced the postponement of the elections because of alleged involvement of drug money during such exercise.
“The basic essence of a democracy is that you choose your leaders. In other words, the common way of choosing leaders is election. I believe in democracy. Now, if you’re talking one month or two months delay, dili ko mangita’g away, but if sige lang postpone, no I have to make a stand,” Osmeña said.
He, however, agreed with the president that past elections were influenced by drug money, but this is not enough reason not to hold it this year.
“He (Duterte) should realize that, it’s really up to the people. It’s true there were places where drugs strongly influenced the barangay elections—Duljo (Fatima), Ermita, Lorega San Miguel, Calamba. But you are going to postpone (the elections) because of these cases? I don’t think so. Just see to it that wise people would be heard and let them speak up,” Osmeña said.
In a speech during the League of Municipalities of the Philippines general assembly in Manila Hotel last Tuesday, Duterte said he does not want to hold the barangay and SK elections this year because of the influence of drug money during elections.
If his plan pushes through, it would be the second time that the elections have been postponed.
In a separate interview, Association of Barangay Councils President Phillip Zafra said he respects the pronouncement of president, but was “saddened” that the reason for it is illegal drugs.
“It’s not happening in my barangay but I…respect the pronouncement of the president. He maybe has information considering that he has…the capacity to have the information,” he said.
He reiterated that all barangays must be challenged to intensify their anti-illegal drug campaign so that they can prove to the president that they are with him in the fight to rid the country of illegal drugs.
On March 30, all Cebu City barangays will attend a forum by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on how to intensify the fight against illegal drugs. (FREEMAN)