BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental 4th District Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer yesterday said that she is optimistic that the numerous bills postponing the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, which will be consolidated during deliberations at the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, will be approved by the House of Representatives before December 5.
Ferrer, who used to be a member of Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms during the 18th Congress, disclosed that majority of majority of members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez are pushing for the postponement of barangay and SK elections, although there is opposition to it.
Ferrer, who also sponsored a bill postponing the elections, said she wants it to be held on May next year, stressing that instead of spending on another electoral exercise, the government can direct its resources to COVID-19 related programs and help rebuild the economy.
Romualdez earlier said that the government could save P8 billion to P10 billion if the election will be held in abeyance, adding that the amount could be used for the COVID-19 response of the government.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Third District Rep Jose Francisco Benitez also favor the postponement of the synchronized polls.
Lawmakers opposing the move have however pointed out that any savings would simply be deferred, and inflation could lead to more expensive polls in the future.
Suspicions have apparently been raised that certain lawmakers are merely seeking longer terms for relatives in the SK, or repaying favors to barangay officials that serve as political leaders at the grassroots.*
