Tuesday, July 10, 2007 Editorials: Barangay polls in October
REASON for moves by some congressmen to postpone the already postponed barangay elections in October this year vary.
The main argument advanced is financial; an election has just been held last May and another one in a span of about five months could drain government coffers.
Left unsaid is another possible reason for the push, which is that the October polls could drain the pockets of politicians who want their chosen barangay captains to win.
Political control
Control of barangays is important in controlling a municipality, city or province.
It’s not only about using barangay officials as part of politicians’ campaign corps but is also about giving mayors or governors a hand in choosing ex-officio members of legislative bodies representing the barangay captains and the Sangguniang Kabataan. Postponing or holding barangay polls is thus an instrument of political control.
It is not just mere coincidence, for example, that many winners in municipalities, cities and provinces in the last elections had the support of majority of barangay captains.
With this, one can find logic in Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s current offensive against barangay captains who were with the opposition in the last elections.
The goal is to make it difficult for opposition barangay captains to win in the October polls while warning the others of the consequence of shifting allegiance.
Politicians’ goal
The goal of politicians, however, is different from that of barangay residents.
Barangay residents, especially in areas where barangay captains are either incompetent or corrupt, have been complaining about postponements of barangay polls.
They should therefore welcome Rep. Raul del Mar’s announcement that moving the October elections to another date is unlikely.
This is because an extension of even just a few months would be demoralizing.
Decision needed
Still, it would be interesting to listen to the views of the proponents of the postponement measure, like Rep. Eduardo Gullas.
Del Mar, while he is deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, does not have total control over colleagues determined to push through their proposal.
A definite and official decision on the barangay elections should be made as soon as possible, even if October is but three months away.
