President Rodrigo Duterte. (Presidential photo)
MANILA – The postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to December 2022 has saved the government much-needed funds, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday.
“I welcome the passage of the law postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. The postponement saved much-needed government funds and ensured the implementation of projects under the current barangay officials,” Duterte said in his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa.
He added that the measure also saved the country "from holding the polls while we dealt and continue to deal with the pandemic."
In December 2019, Duterte signed the law postponing the BSKE. It extended the terms of office of the incumbent SK and barangay officials, who were elected in May 2018.
Under the newly signed Republic Act 11462, the conduct of the next village and youth elections has been reset to Dec. 5, 2022.
Before the signing of the law, the House of Representatives voted 194-6, approving the bill that moved the election from May 2020 to December 2022.
The Senate already approved on final reading its counterpart measure in September 2019.
Earlier, the Commission on Elections asked for a PHP7-billion budget for the conduct of the polls. (PNA) #DuterteSONA2020 #WeRiseAsOne
