Should barangay, SK officials be elected or appointed?

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Why not just appoint barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials?

That is the proposal of Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone, author of House Bill no. 6125, which seeks to amend Republic Act no. 7160 or the Local Government Code.

To reduce the high cost of elections and to avoid election-related violence, Evardone is proposing that municipal and city mayors be given the power to appoint the barangay chief and Sanggunian members.

“In some areas, the wounds of division have remained for decades. And these have gotten worse over time, as shown by reports of certain barangay election-related acts of murder, physical injuries and violence, which could have actually been avoided had the barangay elections not been resorted to,” he said in a release.

He added that during the 2013 baranggay and SK synchronized elections, P5.7 billion was earmarked for the polls.

The congressmen said the process will still be “subject to check” through the Baranggay Assembly, which will nominate three qualified persons per position. Qualifications will be based on the Local Government code and existing laws.

The mayor will only choose from the nominated candidates and will seek the concurrence of the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod.

The said appointments should be made within 30 days of the local chief executive’s assumption into office.

“Unless sooner removed or suspended for cause provided under the Local Government Code and applicable existing laws, all incumbent barangay officials shall remain in office until their successors shall have been appointed pursuant to the Act within 60 days from July 1, 2019,” the release said.

HB 6125 is pending at the House of Representatives’ committee on local government. Kristine Angeli Sabillo/RAM

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