Duterte favors postponement of barangay, SK polls

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said he is in favor of postponing the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections scheduled later this year, noting the possibility of "drug money" being used to fund campaigns.

"Do you know the reason why I also agreed with some congressmen to postpone the barangay elections? Do you know why? Because I am afraid that the drug money will seep into the electoral process," Duterte told officers and men of the military's Eastern Mindanao Command during the command's 10th anniversary rites in Panacan, Davao City.

"You will just be adding to our headache," he added. "Those that are funded by drug money will win, at kailangan mo na mag-martial law to eliminate all. Which I will never do in the first place."

He also said that the billions of pesos earmarked for the elections could be used to fund the government's campaign against the illegal drug menace, particularly the construction or improvement of drug rehabilitation centers.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had earlier said it is mulling the idea of moving for the postponement of the barangay and SK elections, noting that it may cause "election fatigue" as the country had its national and local elections in May.

Some lawmakers, including Duterte's allies in the House of Representatives, have expressed support in the postponement.

The baranggay and SK elections are scheduled on October 31. —KBK, GMA News