House OKs bill postponing village, SK polls to Dec. 2022

The lower chamber passed via voice vote House Bill No. 4933 after accepting an amendment to the rescheduled date. (File Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading a measure seeking the postponement of the May 2020 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to Dec. 5, 2022.

The lower chamber passed via voice vote House Bill No. 4933 after accepting an amendment to the rescheduled date.

The initial proposal was to hold elections on the second Monday of May 2023, but the plenary accepted the amendment introduced by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez to change the date to Dec. 5, 2022.

If enacted into law, there will be two elections in 2022–the presidential elections in May and the synchronized barangay and SK elections seven months after.

The bill also proposes that the subsequent polls will be held on the first Monday of December every three years after 2022.

Until their successors have been duly elected, all incumbent barangay and SK officials shall remain in office, unless sooner removed or suspended for cause.

The most recent barangay and SK elections were held in May 2018. Originally, it was supposed to take place in October 2017.