City Treasurer’s Office personnel rush the cleaning of the ballot boxes for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) at Quezon City Hall compound in Quezon City last week. (INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers have called for an orderly and peaceful barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Monday, October 30.
“Our barangays serve as the foundation of our nation’s governance. These elections must take place in an atmosphere of tranquility and respect for the rule of law,” House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said.
“We implore all candidates and their supporters to act with civility, restraint, and respect for one another. The true strength of our democracy lies in our ability to peacefully choose our local leaders,” he added.
Romualdez also said the government should ensure “a safe and secure” electoral process to protect voters’ rights.
“The security of the electoral process is essential to prevent any undue influence, manipulation, or discrimination,” he pointed out.
“When voters can cast their ballots without fear of intimidation or violence, it upholds the very essence of democracy – the idea that every citizen’s voice is valued and every vote is equal. This level playing field is the cornerstone of a just and representative democracy,” he added.
CIBAC Party-List Rep. Eddie Villanueva encouraged the public “to pray and work for a safe, honest, and successful conduct of BSKE.”
“I call on everyone to be vigilant, and not to allow any effort that will disrupt the peaceful exercise of our God-given and Constitutionally-granted right to choose the leaders in the most basic unit of our government – the barangay,” said Villanueva.
Meanwhile, Kabayan Partylist Representative Ron Salo reminded families of migrant workers to participate in the elections.
“I remind families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to select and vote for Barangay officials who not only understand but also empathize with their unique challenges,” Salo said.
“This electoral process empowers us, the people, to shape the trajectory of our communities and our country. Let us think not only of the present but of our future. In this exercise of our rights, I urge every Filipino to actively participate and vote wisely,” he said.