VOTING 164-27, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading Monday, March 19, the bill seeking to reset again the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
The Senate has yet to pass a similar bill, a move which seems impossible as Congress will officially adjourn its session on Friday, March 23, for the summer break and resume on May 14, which is also the schedule for the political exercise.
Under the bill, the elections scheduled for May 14 would be moved to October 18 this year.
This is the third time that the members of the House decided to postpone the Barangay and SK elections.
Among the 29 dissenters were Buhay Party-list Representative Lito Atienza, Muntinlupa Lone District Rep. Ruffy Biazon, Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice; Makabayan bloc members: Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro and Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus, Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate.
Cebu City 1st District Rep. Raul Del Mar also voted no.
The bill emanated from four bills filed by Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Anac IP Party-list Rep. Jose Panganiban Jr. and Samar 1st District Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento.
Umali earlier said Congress has to postpone anew the May 14 exercise so that it can focus on amending the Charter.
He said the House leadership is eyeing the possibility of synchronizing the conduct of the Barangay and SK polls with the referendum. (SunStar Philippines)