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Monday, July 09, 2007
October polls for SK, barangay final: Del Mar
By Linette C. Ramos
CEBU CITY -- For lack of time to amend the law, the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in October are unlikely to be postponed, Deputy House Speaker Raul del Mar said.
The 14th Congress, he said, will not have the time to tackle measures seeking to postpone the synchronized elections after it convenes on July 23.
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There were at least a dozen bills filed during the 13th Congress that sought to postpone the barangay and SK elections.
But since the 14th Congress is still composed mostly of members of the previous Congress, the body is unlikely to change its mind on the matter, said del Mar.
"It has already been decided by the last Congress, where most of the congressmen are still part of the incoming Congress, that the elections will be in October. It's highly unlikely that it will be changed because the same arguments have already been considered," he told Sun.Star Cebu.
Del Mar (Cebu City, north) added that concerns on the possible effects on the economy of two elections being held five months apart have already been discussed.
"Arguments that it is not prudent to hold two elections in the same year were already tackled. There's nothing new. And the time frame for postponing it is quite tight," he continued.
The synchronized barangay and SK elections are scheduled on Oct. 29.
Although the House of Representatives convenes on July 23, it will take one month to complete organizational processes.
That will give the House barely two months to tackle pending bills seeking to postpone the elections, the deputy House speaker said.
The measures also have to go to the Senate for approval.
Among the pending bills are del Mar's and Rep. Eduardo Gullas' (Cebu, 1st district), which proposed to postpone the elections to May 2008 and October 2008, respectively.
At the Cebu City Council, Councilor Arsenio Pacaña is urging the 14th Congress "to tackle with urgency the issue whether or not to push through with or reset the nationwide synchronized elections."
He cited speculations on the postponement of the elections because of the increasing risks the political exercise will bring.
In a proposed resolution, Pacaña said there is a growing public concern that excessive spending for two national elections within the same year could aggravate inflation and cause loan interest rates to shoot up.
If this proves true, Pacaña fears the country's financial and economic recovery could be spoiled.
"Considering the cloud of doubt and confusion among barangay officials, not to mention its effect on public service, it is but appropriate for the 14th Congress to resolve and deal with exigency on the hanging issue on whether to push through with the Oct. 29 elections (or not)," he said. (Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila. (July 9, 2007 issue)
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