Comelec pushes BSKE preparations pending new law; spending hits P8B so far - GMA Network

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Friday that it will continue preparations for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) while awaiting the passage of a law resetting the anticipated polls.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said preparations for the BSKE set on November 2 will continue, explaining that they need to be ready in case the bill fails to pass or is hit with a restraining order after enactment.

“Hindi po kami humihinto, Sir Melo, kasi hangga’t hindi ho nagiging batas ’yan, ang batas sa atin ay may eleksyon sa November 2,” Garcia said.

(We are not stopping, Sir Melo, because until that becomes a law, the existing law states that we have an election on November 2.)

“At pangalawa… napakahirap ipagbakasakali kasi kahit magkaroon ng batas, mero’t merong pupunta sa Korte Suprema at may posibilidad na biglang mag-issue ng restraining order… and therefore magtutuloy ang halalan sa November 2 pag nagkaganon ang sitwasyon,” he added.

(And second… it is too risky to take chances because even if a law is passed, someone will inevitably challenge it before the Supreme Court, and there is a possibility that a restraining order could be issued… which means the November 2 election would proceed under that scenario.)

On September 8, the House of Representatives approved House Bill 10971, which seeks to grant barangay officials a five-year term instead of the existing four-year term.

On September 14, the Senate passed Senate Bill No. 2387 on final reading, amending Republic Act No. 12232 to extend barangay and SK officials' terms from four to five years.

The measure also limits barangay officials to two consecutive terms in the same position and SK officials to one term.

The bill also proposes moving the next regular BSKE from the first to the second Monday of November 2028, with succeeding elections to be held every five years thereafter.

On September 16, the House plenary adopted the Senate bill to do away with the convening of the bicameral conference committee where lawmakers reconcile conflicting versions of the bills.

At this stage, only the approval and signature of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr is needed for the measure to be enacted into a law. The President can also reject or veto the bill.

Election lawyer Romy Macalintal has asked Marcos to veto the measure.

Garcia said Comelec has spent P8 billion on BSKE preparations so far. He noted that the preparations would not go to waste, as other materials can still be used if the BSKE is postponed to 2028.

“In all fairness, Sir Melo, hindi naman masasayang. Tayo po’y nakagastos na ng walong bilyong piso, natitira sa atin ay P11 billion na lamang, ‘yan po’y nasa kamay pa ng DBM (Department of Budget and Management) wala pa kay Comelec,” Garcia said.

(In all fairness, Sir Melo, it will not go to waste. We have spent eight billion pesos, leaving us with just P11 billion, which is still with the DBM and not yet with Comelec.)

“Pero 'yung mga na-imprenta nating mga balota, 'yung mga nabili naming ibang kagamitan, magagamit naman natin sa reset na barangay and sk elections kung saka-sakali,” he added.

(However, the printed ballots and other equipment we purchased can still be used in the rescheduled barangay and SK elections if ever.)

In anticipation of a possible delay, Garcia said they held off on having suppliers deliver certain materials to avoid compromising their quality, such as pens and indelible ink.

The poll chairman appealed for a prompt decision on the law, as the deadline for deployment of election materials nationwide nears should the BSKE proceed.

“Pero kinakailangan din po na merong desisyon kaagad kung tuloy o hindi sapagkat remember po, kinakailangan mag-deploy kami ng mga kagamitan sa mga unang linggo pa lamang ng Oktubre sa buong Pilipinas,” Garcia noted.

(There needs to be an immediate decision on whether it will proceed or not because remember, we need to deploy materials across the Philippines as early as the first week of October.)

The poll body said its preparations for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) are also ongoing. The filing is scheduled for September 28 to October 5.

Meanwhile, the ban on public works and social services takes effect September 18, or 45 days before the elections. Garcia said this measure ensures that public funds are not used for personal campaign activities by candidates. —AOL, GMA News