Senators hold caucus on b’gay execs’ appointment

MANILA, Philippines - Though Congress is in recess, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III called for a caucus last night to discuss President Duterte’s proposal to declare all barangay positions vacant so the Chief Executive could appoint officials in lieu of holding elections this October.

There have been various arguments raised for and against Duterte’s plan to pick barangay officials instead of having them elected supposedly due to the involvement of many of them in illegal drugs.

Pimentel’s father, Aquilino Jr. who also served as Senate chief, maintained the law must first be amended before Duterte could appoint barangay officials.

However, Congress can only act on Duterte’s proposal when it resumes session on May 2.

The elder Pimentel authored the Local Government Code, which sets the barangay elections.

He said the best option for Duterte is to prosecute the barangay officials reportedly engaged in drug trafficking.

An ally of Duterte in the Senate – Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito – also asked the President to reconsider his plan, warning that barangay elections had already been postponed by Congress last year and another postponement would have “negative effects” on the people.

“I don’t really want to counter him (Duterte) but (the barangay elections are) very much anticipated by the people, so I think this has to be studied very carefully,” Ejercito told dzBB.

He said Duterte’s contention that 40 percent of barangay captains are into illegal drugs would have to be thoroughly verified and could be addressed by law enforcement as well as the electorate.

He cited the case of a councilor in San Juan City where he had served as mayor. The councilor was suspected of involvement in illegal drugs and when it was made known to the people, the official was not reelected, the senator added.

Ejercito said if the so-called drug list is indeed verified, the names of the barangay officials should be made public, and they should also be criminally charged.

Detained Sen. Leila de Lima, chairperson of the Senate electoral reforms committee, slammed the proposal, saying appointing barangay officials goes against the idea of barangays being non-partisan government units.

“As the basic political unit in the country, the barangay serves as the frontliner in delivering the basic and important services to people. It offers direct and immediate assistance and support to the community. Barangay officials play a crucial role in providing effective and accountable local governance,” she said.

The senator believes that members of the community should have a say on who deserves to hold positions in the barangay, as they are in the best position to gauge who can be the most responsive to their needs.

Church could recommend

In Bacolod City, Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno said the Catholic Church could recommend individuals who could be appointed to replace the barangay officials.

Sueno said Duterte is not keen on having governors and mayors do the recommendation.

“We will get their cooperation as their help is very vital,” Sueno said, referring to the Church and the public in general.

He also said his department could not appoint but only screen recommended individuals for the barangay positions and endorse them to the President.

“We don’t want to have a vacuum, somebody must be appointed in their place,” Sueno stressed.

He claimed the proposal of Duterte was getting support as people were tired of hearing complaints that candidates win because of money.

Sueno said those to be appointed would receive regular honorarium and that Liga ng mga Barangay would remain as they should have representatives in the Sangguniang Bayan, Panlungsod or Panlalawigan.  – With Perseus Echeminada, Gilbert Bayoran