Allow people to decide: Davide prefers barangay, SK polls to still push through

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is not in favor of the plan to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, saying it is up to the people to be more circumspect in their choices.

“Dili siguro na maayo nga i-postpone ang elections and ihatag ang authority to appoint sa mayor kay mas mapolitika na man gud na. So better leave the constituents, the residents of the barangays to elect their barangay leaders, barangay officials,” he said.

“Whether or not mosulod ang narco(-politics), that’s the lookout already sa mga constituents. They would know kung kining nidagan pagka-barangay captain or councilor is involved in illegal drugs,” he added.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, however, was of a differing opinion, saying postponing the elections is fitting to prevent drug money from seeping into the electoral process, considering that the administration has yet to fully clean the barangays of illegal drugs.

“I know one of the reasons because I talk to Atty. (Adelino) Sitoy, the presidential adviser, about this. Ang concern sa president wa pa niya na-eliminate ang drugs. He is afraid that drug money will again come into play during the elections. Ako okay na ako nga wala’y elections in the meantime,” she said.

“Daghan nagreklamo but I think the executive department knows best kun unsay condition,” she added.

In a speech during the League of Municipalities of the Philippines general assembly in Manila Hotel last Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced the postponement of the elections because of alleged involvement of drug money during such exercise.

He said he does not want to hold the barangay and SK elections this year because of the influence of drug money during elections.

If his plan pushes through, it would be the second time that the elections have been postponed.  (FREEMAN)