House OKs 2 priority measures

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on Monday two priority measures—one postponing the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, and the other extending the life of the 2019 budget.

By a vote of 194-6, the 300-strong chamber passed House Bill No. 4933 on third reading moving the date of the local polls from May 2020 to December 2022.

The measure also proposed a new schedule for barangay and SK elections to be held every first Monday of December every three years after 2022.

The bill was approved on second reading, by a voice vote, on Oct. 2, before the House went on a break. Congress resumed session on Monday.

A counterpart bill has already passed third reading in the Senate.

Also on Monday, the chamber approved House Joint Resolution No. 19 extending the life of the 2019 budget by another year.

The chamber voted 199-0 to extend the 2019 budget until December 2020.