Senate holds hearing today

CEBU, Philippines - The Senate Committee on Local Government headed by neophyte senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will conduct a hearing today to get the consensus of different local officials whether to postpone or proceed with the conduct of the barangay elections this October 25.

Marcos, who was in Cebu for the past two days, said that the different leagues (governors, mayors and barangays) will attend today’s hearing.

The hearing, Marcos said, will proceed despite the pronouncement of President Benigno Aquino III that he wants the polls to be held as scheduled.

Marcos said that he already filed a bill that seeks to postpone the barangay elections for one year, in order to spark debate and get consensus on the issue.

   “We are pressured to come up with a final decision at the end of the month,” Marcos said.

The senator said that based on his initial consultation with the different local government units, majority want a postponement of the barangay elections.

Marcos said that some want it to push through while some want it postponed for one year and there are those who wish status quo until 2013.

“Lahat nang ito ay ating pakikinggan and we will see what’s the best solution,” Marcos added.

Meanwhile, Marcos said that he is in favored the call to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan but clarified that it should be replaced with a better form of youth representation.

Marcos said that youth representation is important especially that the country has a young population as majority.

The former Ilocos governor said that abolition of SK and the possible creation of a better youth representation will also be tackled during the hearing that would also be graced by officials of the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Commission on Elections and the Department of Budget and Management.

Cebu provincial election supervisor Lionel Castillano had earlier said that the Commission on Elections is ready if the SK and barangay elections will be held this October.

He said that the said elections are done manually and it is not as complicated as compared to the automated polls last May. —/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)