Lawyer prods SC on barangay, SK polls in May

MANILA, Philippines — An urgent appeal to hold the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang (SK) elections in May 2023 instead of October has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC).

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal filed his second urgent motion, saying the remaining time presents the urgency to resume the preparations for the barangay and SK elections.

Last month, Macalintal filed a similar motion, which asked the high court to order the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to resume its preparations for the holding of the twin polls in May 2023.

Macalintal sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Republic Act 11935, which moved the conduct of the elections from yesterday to October next year.

In his petition, Macalintal argued that while Congress has the power to determine or fix the term of office of barangay officials, the Constitution does not authorize it to postpone the barangay and SK elections or extend the term of office of these officials.

The matter was heard during oral arguments on Oct. 21, wherein Comelec Chairman George Garcia told the SC in full court that they could not hold the elections on Dec. 5 even if the SC would grant the petition for a TRO.

The Comelec manifested that if the SC would grant Macalintal’s petition, the earliest date it could hold the elections is in May 2023.