MANILA, Philippines - Four administration lawmakers, led by Speaker Prospero Nograles, were receptive to the proposal of postponing the barangay elections scheduled in October, so that the next administration can save up to P3.4 billion in much-needed funds.
“It’s the new Congress coming that can act on this in July, not this (14th) Congress,” said Nograles.
“We leave that to the 15th Congress to decide,” House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Simeon Datumanong seconded.
Two House deputy majority leaders – Reps. Juan Edgardo Angara of Aurora and Neptali Gonzales II of Mandaluyong – also agreed to the idea.
“It’s something worth considering as soon as the 15th Congress convenes,” said Angara. “I doubt the 14th Congress has time to take it up given that it’s a new measure which has to go through the committee.”
Gonzales also described the proposal to be “ostensibly laudable.” But he expressed hope that it was not a mere strategy of former senator Ralph Recto to win the support of barangay officials nationwide who will benefit from the extended term.
Earlier, Recto, who is seeking a Senate seat under the Liberal Party, sought a one-year postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, so the government can use the P3.4 billion allocated for the polls to help farms ravaged by El Niño.
“A mere delay of one year in the election of village executives will create budget space to help farmers hit by drought without creating havoc on our grassroots democracy. A one-year extension in the term of our kapitans (barangay chairmen) is manageable,” he said.
Recto said the 2010 national budget sets aside P3.241 billion for the simultaneous holding of the barangay and SK polls in October.
On top of this amount is P169 million for a voters’ list-up for the SK polls which will be participated in by 15- to 18-year-old residents of every barangay.