SK elections to push through on October 31

Barangay leaders from the different municipalities and cities held an emergency meeting yesterday after receiving reports the scheduled Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections will push through this October 31.

The offices of Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial Federation head Teresita Celis and SK Federation head Ramon Martin Calderon also received several calls from the barangays asking if they received a memorandum confirming the barangay elections.

Barangay and SK elections are suppose to be held a year after the holding and separate from the national elections to signify it's non-partisan nature.

First district Rep. Eduardo Gullas and 21 other congressmen had filed separate bills with the intention of extending the term of office of all barangay and SK officials and resetting the date to 2007 and 2008.

Provincial Commission on Elections officer Edwin Cadungog said there is yet no final approval issued by both the House and Senate on the said bills.

He said in the absence of final approval or resolution on the amendment to be made on Republic Act 9164 covering the barangay and SK elections, status quo remains and Comelec will push through with the elections as scheduled this October 31.

More so, that the national legislators are now all preoccupied with the impeachment, wiretapping and jueteng hearings.

Cadungog confirmed that they received a reference from the national Comelec, which allows them to accept registration of new voters as well as transfer of voters provided they will not vote this October 31.

Cadungog said that registration and transfer of voters is not allowed within the 120-day prohibitive period prior to the holding of a regular election. Since it is barely two months prior to October 31, Cadungog said it is now prohibitive period.

The Comelec Offices will accept Certificates of Candidacies a month prior to October 31 and campaign period starts 10 days prior to the elections.

He said it will be a half-baked preparation should the barangay elections push through this October, but they are preparing nevertheless. - Ferliza C. Contratista