DILG allows hold-over for ABC, SK presidents in local legislative body

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Interior and Local Government has clarified that the presidents of the Association of Barangay Councils and the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation sitting as ex-officio members of the city and municipal councils shall continue to hold on to their respective positions until their successors are elected and qualified.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo issued the clarification after the DILG was flooded with queries about the term of office of the ex-officio members in the local legisla-tive bodies.

In a memorandum circular No. 2010-82 dated August 31, Robredo said that all league presidents and SK presidents are allowed a "hold-over capacity."

Barangay and SK representatives will be elected on October 25. Their term will start on Nov. 30.

Robredo said that in case the incumbent Liga chapter president is reelected he or she shall continue to act as league president in a hold-over capacity until such time that his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified.

As such, he or she can continue to represent the Liga chapter in the council as an ex-officio member thereof.

If the Liga chapter president ceases to be a barangay leader by noon of November 30, either because he or she was not reelected or his or her term expired on the same date, the incumbent vice president shall represent the league in the council as ex-officio member.

Provided, however, that the vice president was reelected as barangay leader in the last barangay elections.

In case the incumbent Liga chapter president and vice president cease to be barangay leaders by noon of November 30, either because they were not reelected or their term expired at noon of the same date, the remaining incumbent officers and members of the league who have been reelected shall choose from among themselves their repre-sentative to the council.

If the three scenarios are not applicable, the National Liga ng mga Barangay shall appoint an acting president until such time that members of the Liga chapter have elected their president. (FREEMAN)