Senate resets barangay polls

The Senate approved on Wednesday the bill moving the barangay and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections from October this year to May 2018.

Senate Bill No. 1584 was passed on second and third reading on the same session day by a vote of 17-1, following its certification as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte.

An amendment deleted the provision giving Mr. Duterte the power to remove and appoint officers in charge (OICs) in barangay posts.

Only Sen. Risa Hontiveros voted against the measure, saying the postponement of the village polls was based on the “flimsiest reasons, unsubstantiated by evidence, and motivated only by the President’s desire and intent to have full control over the barangays.”

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV earlier manifested on second reading that he was voting against the measure.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said he and the other senators voted “yes” because the majority accepted their proposed amendment to one of the sections.

The modification deleted the power of the President to remove barangay officials without any cause. In effect, this allows incumbent officials to remain in their posts in a holdover capacity until their successors have been elected and qualified.