House majority wants barangay polls rescheduled to May 2018

Members of the House of Representatives majority have agreed to postpone the barangay elections to May 2018.

PBA party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles made the announcement to reporters following an all-members caucus on Monday.

"Barangay elections will be postponed to May 2018 with hold-over," Nograles said.

President Rodrigo Duterte had alleged that 40 percent of barangay captains nationwide are involved in illegal drugs.

He said he was considering appointing barangay captains, instead of pushing through with the elections.

But AKO Bicol party-list Alfredo Garbin said the decision of the all-members caucus is "in keeping with the country's democratic process."

"Barangay officials must be elected and not appointed. Once again the House of Representatives uphold the power of the people to elect their own leaders under an established democratic rule," he added.

Nograles clarified that although they have agreed to the postponement, it will still have to undergo a legislative process.

"Of course, the measure will have to pass through the legislative process, but it is apparent among the Members of the House of Representatives that there will be a postponement and there will be a hold-over," he said.

"The schedule might still be a matter of debate; Barangay and SK elections will probably be scheduled on May 2018," he added.

Nograles said he is already expecting mixed reactions from different barangays, especially in areas where those involved in the illegal drug trade are believed to operate.

The only way to round them up and put a stop to their operation is to get the police and PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) involved.

Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao, meanwhile, maintained that the barangay elections should proceed as scheduled.

"While the caucus favors the postponement of the October 2017 barangay elections, Anakpawis maintains its position to push through with the elections as originally scheduled in October 2017," he said. — RSJ/KVD, GMA News