'Do not proclaim 3-term barangay executives'

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo yesterday reiterated his call for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against proclaiming the winning barangay officials who had already served three consecutive terms.

Robredo warned Comelec might send the wrong impression that it is tolerating an unlawful act.

Robredo reiterated his call to the Comelec with the assumption of the winning barangay officials on Dec. 1.

Robredo sent a letter to Comelec Chairman Jose Melo on Nov. 23, pointing out the poll body might send the wrong signal in proclaiming the overstaying barangay officials under Comelec Resolution 9100.

Robredo noted the Comelec still allowed the overstaying barangay officials to be proclaimed even as they went beyond the three-consecutive term limit rule under the law.

Comelec said the barangay officials blacklisted by the DILG for having served beyond their term limits, were denied due process.

Robredo, however, said, “it appears that Comelec Resolution 9100 was issued to cover the fact that the Commission has not acted or even validated the list submitted by DILG.”

“We still have one week before the newly elected officials assume their post. I believe that the local election officers still have the time to verify and validate said list,” he said.

Robredo also maintained that the DILG had done its part to inform Comelec of the violation of the law made by the barangay officials, with some of them on their 4th consecutive terms.

“With all due respect to the Comelec, if there was any omission, it was definitely never committed by the DILG,” Robredo pointed out.

The DILG submitted the list of Punong Barangays who are on their 3rd and 4th consecutive terms to the Comelec last Sept. 24 or three weeks prior to the last day of filing of the certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the barangay elections held on Oct. 25.

“This (three weeks) was to give sufficient time to the Comelec through its municipal election officers to verify and take action on incumbent candidates, belonging to the list, which filed their COCs,” he said.

Robredo said the DILG merely wanted to assist the Comelec by giving it useful information that can assist the poll body in fulfilling its mandate.

While it may be argued that the DILG submitted list erroneously contains names of Punong Barangay, Robredo said such error should not result to the disregard of the other names of barangay officials mentioned.