Go to push for term extension of brgy and SK officials

CEBU, Philippines — Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, in his recent visit to Cebu, said that he will push for the extension of the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials.

Go, who visited the survivors of the fire in Barangay Tipolo who are housed outside the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City said that once he assumes as senator, he will file a Senate bill that will reset the said elections from 2020 to 2022.

The proposal, Go said, will extend the term of office of current barangay and SK officials to four years.

Go said it is not the fault of the current barangay officials that their term of office were shortened due to the postponement of the said elections.

Go also joked to the barangay officials of Tipolo present that if they want their terms of office to be extended, they should take care of and attend to the needs of their constituents.

Republic Act 10952, which was approved on October 2, 2017, postponed the October 23, 2017 barangay and SK elections to the second Monday of May 2018.

The law also stated that the said elections be held on the second May of 2020, giving the candidates who won in the May 14, 2018, only a two-year term, instead of the three years as mandated by the previous law.

Despite Go’s announcement, the Commission on Elections has started preparing for the barangay and SK elections.

The voter registration will be held from August 1 to September 30. —/BRP (FREEMAN)