SENATOR Francis Pangilinan said the postponement of barangay elections and appointing barangay officials instead will only impinge upon the people's right to vote and choose their leaders.
Pangilinan is urging the present administration to rethink its decision to postpone the barangay elections supposedly scheduled for this year.
Pangilinan’s reaction came after President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed the postponement of barangay elections this year.
The Chief Executive revealed that drug-tainted personalities will be running in the barangay level and drug money may be used to fund their candidacy.
Duterte also revealed that 40 percent of all barangay captains in the country are involved in illegal drugs which he said will be participants in the coming elections for barangay positions.
But Pangilinan said barangay election is protected under the constitution, stating the fact that the right of the people to vote and choose their leaders must not be taken away.
“It is worrisome that the President should even contemplate such a rash decision that encroaches dangerously into authoritarian ideologies reminiscent of those harbored and exemplified by the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos,” Pangilinan said. (SunStar Philippines)