Comelec suspends preps for barangay, SK polls

FILE: This, after Malacanang on Wednesday announced that President Rodrigo Duterte signed on Monday Republic Act 10952 which postpones the polls to May 2018. (Photo by Brian Evans/Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)

MANILA — The Commission on Elections announced on Wednesday the suspension of all activities in preparation for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections which was originally scheduled for October 23.

This, after Malacanang on Wednesday announced that President Rodrigo Duterte signed on Monday Republic Act 10952 which postpones the polls to May 2018.

“The Comelec Chairman (Juan Andres Bautista) issued on October 4, 2017, a Memorandum addressed to all Comelec Department Heads and all Regional Election Directors in Luzon and Visayas ordering the said suspension and ensuring that the same is immediately and properly disseminated to all concerned,” Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said in statement.

With this, Jimenez said the implementation of the gun ban is automatically lifted.

He, however, admitted that the poll body will make adjustments on its preparations for the postponed electoral exercises.

“Adjustments will be made to the Comelec’s current preparations, taking the new date of elections into consideration, and continuing ongoing activities for the 2019 exercise. Work goes on for us,” he said in a statement.

At the same time, Jimenez said the Comelec welcomes “the news that the President has just signed the law postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections”.

Meanwhile, Bautista noted that they have spent approximately PHP840 million, as of September 29, in connection with their preparations for the supposed polls this month.

The total budget for the village and youth elections is PHP6 billion.

On the other hand, the Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) also welcomed the postponement of the electoral exercise.

“Good the President finally signed the law to postpone the barangay elections,” said PPCRV chairperson Rene Sarmiento.

“The uncertainty among incumbent bgy.officials, among possible candidates, among NGO electoral groups and even within PPCRV (though as a citizen’s arm it is helping the Comelec in its current verification of voters’ list (PCVL and EDCVL) will be put to a stop. Time, effort and expense can be channelled to other constructive nation-building concerns,” he added. (PNA)