FILE PHOTO: The Senate has received 150 Certificates of Canvass (COCs) for President and Vice President as of 7:28 a.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2022. (Senate PRIB Photos)
UPDATED MANILA, Philippines — A bill seeking to postpone barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections hurdled the second reading at the Senate on Wednesday.
Senate Bill No. 1306 seeks to postpone the barangay and SK elections, slated on December 5, 2022, to December 2023.
The measure was sponsored by Senator Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation.
During the plenary session, Senator Risa Hontiveros urged to postpone the barangay and SK elections to an earlier date or in May 2023.
She cited that holding the polls in May 2023 is within the seven-month preparatory time needed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and will require less funding, among others.
The Comelec has a P8.5-billion budget for the December 5, 2022 polls.
Should the elections be deferred to May 2023, at least P17 billion would be needed, while P18 billion if in December 2023, the poll body earlier said.
The additional cost would cover additional polling precincts, supplies, and higher honoraria for teachers who will serve as electoral board members.
“I move — by way of amendment — that the date of election be fixed instead of in December 2023… to hold the election in May 2023,” the opposition senator said.
However, Marcos did not heed Hontiveros’ proposal.
“At this juncture, the committee is unable to accept your amendment, and we stay with the date of December 2023,” Marcos responded.
The Senate minority bloc, composed of Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel and Hontiveros, expressed their opposition to the postponement.
Earlier, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Francis Escudero filed separate bills deferring the barangay and SK polls.