Comelec in full blast for SK, Barangay polls on Oct. 31

Commission on Elections (Comelec) at the Palacio del Gobernador Bldg., Gen. Luna St. cor. Andres Soriano Jr. Ave, Intramuros, Manila (Photo: Ramon FVelasquez/Wikipedia)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is going full blast with its preparations for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls on October 31.

This after Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista said that the planned Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) is no longer happening, thus, the forthcoming elections will push through as scheduled.

“Ngayon, ang direction nila ay magkaroon ng Constituent Assembly… kung kata’t mukhang tuloy na tuloy na tayo para sa ting halalan sa October 31,” he added.

The poll body chief noted that he was told by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, that the amendment of the 1987 Constitution will be done but through a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass).

“Kahapon, ako ay nakipag-usap kay Speaker Alvarez at tinning ko kung mekong posibilidad na pagsasamahin yung Barangay at SK at yung Con-Con. Pero sabi nga niya sakin ngayon, ang direction ay magkaroon ng Constituent Assembly,” he said.

Bautista earlier pushed for the postponement of the village and youth polls and synchronised with the election of delegates for the proposed Con-Con that would result to a surplus of at least P6 million for the government.

Likewise, some lawmakers have supported the proposal. They are looking to hold the Con-Con in January 2017.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday has changed his mind, saying that amendments in the 1987 Constitution can just be done with Congress sitting as a Constituent Assembly.