MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has suspended the implementation of the gun ban for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
The 45-day gun ban was scheduled to start on Thursday but was suspended for 15 days.
READ: 45-day gun ban begins tomorrow
Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said that the election period for the SK will also be suspended for 15 days.
"At kung lumabas na po 'yung postponement [ng SK elections], hindi na ho namin itutuloy 'yun gun ban," Brillantes said in an interview with radio dzMM.
The House of Representatives has already issued a resolution postponing the SK elections.
The postponement of the SK elections will be finalized upon the approval of the Senate and President Benigno Aquino III.
Brillantes suggested that it would be better if the SK elections would be postponed until October 2016, in time with the barangay elections.
"Maganda na gawin niyo na 'yung reform law bago mag-October 2016 at isabay na lang natin 'tong SK ulit sa October 2016. Sayang ho 'yung pera. Mahigit na P1 bilyon ho ang gagastusin natin e para sa SK elections," Brillantes added.
Both the SK and barangay polls are done manually.
If the Senate does not approve the postponement of the SK polls, the election period, gun ban and campaign period will start seven before the elections.
The SK elections is scheduled on February 21.