Partido Liberal senators on Wednesday warned that the postponement of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will pave the way for a no-election scenario in 2019.
”There is no initiative in the Senate and no reason to postpone the Barangay and SK elections again,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, co-author and co-sponsor of the SK Reform law.
“Hayaan natin na ang taumbayan ang bumoto ng pinunong lalaban para sa kanila at sisiguraduhin na ligtas at may ginhawa ang kanilang pamilya,” added Sen. Bam Aquino, referring to the House’s move to postpone the village polls to October 2018.
On Monday, the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms voted 14-2 to postpone the Barangay and SK elections, which will be held in May.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan, for his part, said the House’s act is an indication that it will railroad moves to amend the 1987 Constitution to pave the way for a shift in the form of government to federalism.
“Indikasyon lang ito na plano nilang madaliin ang pagbabago sa Saligang Batas para maisabay ang plebisito sa Oktubre,” said Pangilinan, adding that moves to amend the Charter should not be hurried.
“Napakahalaga ng ating Saligang Batas para madaliin ang pag-amyenda nito. Kailangan munang konsultahin ang lahat ng sector bago ito gawin upang matiyak na walang maiiwan,” added Pangilinan.
Pangilinan is visiting different parts of the country to consult different sectors regarding plans to amend the Charter as chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes.
Sen. Franklin Drilon said the House’s move proved his earlier revelation about a plot by administration allies in the House of Representatives to railroad the amendment of the 1987 Constitution for a shift to federalism so they cancel the 2019 elections and extend their terms.
Drilon has earlier warned of plans to postpone the village polls to October to coincide with the plebiscite on a new Constitution.
“Ang pagkilos na ito ng Kamara ay patunay lang ng aking unang binanggit na talagang may plano silang ipagpaliban ang eleksyon sa 2019 para mapalawig ang kanilang termino,” said Drilon.