This means that in a short period of time, Senate has to act on the postponement proposal, and have the Executive sign it. Until a law is passed, the Commission on Elections will continue preparing for the elections.
The Comelec has already declared that it's ready to oversee the village and youth polls originally scheduled this month. It issued Resolution Number 8264 enumerating the calendar of activities in relation to the October 29 elections. The resolution states the election period will "start September 29 and end November 13."
House Bill 2417 postponing the elections is considered as unconstitutional, especially with the fact that while the legislative body can fix the term of local officials, it cannot extend their tenure.
The first postponement of the barangay elections in 2005 already gave sitting barangay and SK officials two years of "un-mandated" leadership. Another postponement will effectively disenfranchise the community from putting in place representatives deemed to carry their "voices" in governance.
Under House Bill 2417, the scheduled October 29 elections will be moved to the second Monday of May 2009.
The 2007 General Appropriations Act gave the Comelec P9.17 billion budget, almost half of this, or P5.2 billion, spent for the May polls. The village and SK elections will cost P2.131 billion.
House Bill 2417 has been forwarded to the Senate for its concurrence. It is now up to the Senate to act on the best interest of the people.
While House members are considered to be in the best position to feel the pulse of their constituents. However as it had done before, vested interests have overtaken public agenda.
No final decisions yet. Meanwhile, confusion abounds.
