Comelec hopes Zambo polls to take place before Nov. 30

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is hopeful that the barangay polls in Zamboanga City could be held before the term of office of incumbent barangay leaders expires on Nov. 30.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said it is better for the elections to be held before this period to avoid complications.

“Preferably, we want to hold the specials elections before Nov. 30 to avoid a hold-over (for the incumbent officials)…We might be accused of favoring the incumbent if their stay in office will be extended,” Brillantes said.

The Comelec suspended the barangay polls in Zamboanga City due to the destruction caused by the three-week standoff between government troops and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) forces.

The city was also devastated by massive flooding recently.

But before deciding to reset the elections, Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim and Comelec director for Election and Barangay Affairs Department Teopisto Elnas went to Zamboanga recently to do an ocular inspection and meet with local authorities.

In a report, Elnas noted that officials of the local government, Crisis Management Council, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Departments of Education and Social Welfare and Development found it necessary to postpone the elections.