Lawmakers want 2013 barangay polls reset

MANILA, Philippines - Two Mindanao lawmakers want the October 2013 barangay elections postponed to October 2015.

In Bill 5654, Representatives Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City and his brother Maximo of Abante Mindanao party-list proposed that the term of office of barangay officials be extended by two years.

The government would be saving billions of pesos in delaying the next vote for barangay officials, they added.      

The Rodriguezes said government spent P3.6 billion for the last barangay polls in 2010.

“It would be safe to assume that such amount would increase for the barangay elections as scheduled in October 2013, which amount could better be spent if it would be used for other government projects like construction of bridges, roads and schools,” they said.

“Also, it is common knowledge that elections, whether national or local, prove to be divisive among the populace, specially coming on the heels of the very divisive May 10, 2010 national and local elections.

“Furthermore, the three-year term of barangay officials is too short for the unity and stability in barangay leadership and affairs. The three-year term is not enough to ensure that the programs of the barangay are carried out properly. A two-year extension would therefore be in order.”

The Rodriguez brothers said if the barangay elections were not postponed, the government would be spending tens of billions of pesos for two elections in 2013 – the combined congressional-local voting in May and the barangay polls in October.