Church-backed election watchdog opposes postponement of barangay, SK polls

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) is against the third proposal to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, according to a news post on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website.

Rene Sarmiento, PPCRV chairperson and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner, said the proposal is not reasonable and would deny the people's right to vote.

“Postponement of elections done with frequency may become a habit and it will not be good for the Philippines and democracy,” he said.

“Heaven forbid that postponement of elections becomes a habit and a habit our destiny,” he added.

Sarmiento said if the polls are postponed again, the move disrupts the regularity of the process.

“Periodic election is a must to give the electorate an opportunity to retain performing elective public officials and repudiate the non-performers,” he said.

“Grassroots democracy thru barangay elections is a must for local good governance and there is no substitute," he added.

Several legislators discussed moving the elections to another date as talks were rife on the conduct of a plebiscite as the government aims to shift to a federal form of government. — BAP, GMA News