Barangay Election Matutuloy?

Are you in favor of proposals to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections scheduled this year?

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Yes. First, we do not have the money to fund the exercise. Second, P-Noy needs to transform first the mindset of incumbent barangay officials, since most of them have been corrupted.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: It has to be held as scheduled. Postponement only creates confusion and anxiety among those who are involved in the electoral exercise.

Too expensive

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Yes, I’m not sure if we have a budget allotted for this purpose. But even if we do, it’s still too expensive since we just held national and local elections. It’s just too much for our country.

Aries Dy, Quezon City: I am in favor because the exercise is costly.

Maricel Maralit, Naga City: Yes, because by postponing it, the government would save about P4 to P5 billion. Not bad considering that we’ve just been through a costly national elections.

Sam Curameng, Pangasinan: Yes, postponing the barangay and SK elections will save funds needed for P-Noy’s projects.

Do we have the funds?

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: While we should follow what the law says about the barangay and SK elections, there are, at this point, other matters that we should consider, foremost of which is the budget for such exercises. Why push through with it if we are hard up on funds. We just had the presidential elections last May. And even if they say that a budget has been earmarked for the exercise, this may only be on paper. Where is the cash? If there is, we must proceed with the elections. But if there is none yet, then it should be postponed.

Worse than a pageant

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: Yes it should be postponed as it will only add up to the heavy burden of local governments. Moreover, the Sangguniang Kabataan is discriminating while the barangay elections is worst than a beauty pageant.

Mandated by law

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: Negative. The barangay and SK elections should happen this year as mandated by law. Only a directive from the President or the Commission on Elections can have it postponed to some other time.

Ed Gulmatico, Bacolod City: No, preparations are underway. But the most important reason why the elections should push through is because it is contained in a law that needs to be respected, observed and be implemented by whoever is in power. Postponement will be very discouraging for it will just signify indecisiveness on the part of P-Noy’s government. Only the sitting but dysfunctional barangay officials, pampered by their respective congressmen, mayors or councilors vehemently oppose the conduct of the elections para tuloy tuloy ang ligaya nila.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: No, because it would be a disrespect to our laws. Also, many barangay officials ought to be replaced by more competent ones.

Time to listen

Noel Alquiza, Metro Manila: I agree with the proposal of House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte to postpone the barangay and SK polls for one year only so that P-Noy can study and listen to the different voices in our society. Vice President Jejomar Binay had said that the SK has become the breeding ground for corruption of our future leaders. Just imagine if this is not addressed now.

Bad precedent

Elmo Cruz, Manila: If law says that the term of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials is good for three years only, then push through with the scheduled elections. Postponement of the elections due to lack of funds could become a bad precedent for future elections.

Change for the better

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Let’s get on with the barangay elections. Since change is the order of the day, then we must implement changes in our barangays.

Felix Ramento, USA: No, let’s proceed with the barangay elections as scheduled and not promote indecisiveness instead.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections will cost the government hundreds of millions of pesos. But the elections must go on no matter what because it is part of the democratic process. Next time though, barangay and SK elections should better coincide with the midterm elections.

Mockery of democracy

Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: Postponing the barangay and SK elections is a mockery of democracy. This will reward those who are not performing well. Congress should not give in to the selfish recommendation of parties which will directly benefit from the postponement. President Aquino and the Department of the Interior and Local Government have already stated their stand on the issue, and they are showing commendable political will.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Why give a new lease on life to rotten, over ambitious, incompetent and abusive barangay officials? Let’s vote for some others.

Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales: If there are barangay officials who wish to postpone the elections, there are also those who want it to push through this October. It is politically incorrect for the President and lawmakers to pass a law postponing the barangay and SK polls. Besides, there is no valid reason why we should give incumbent barangay officials the privilege to continue holding on to their positions without a fresh mandate from the sovereign people. While elections are divisive and expensive political exercises, they are part of our democratic process wherein the confidence of the people in officials is tested.

RP’s future is at stake

Daniel Occeno, Metro Manila: I agree that the elections should be held as scheduled, especially the SK polls. Young Filipino politicians are the future of our country so they must see that there is a good opportunity for them to contribute to the betterment of our nation.

Amend law first

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: The law mandates a three-year term for barangay and SK officials. So to postpone the elections means we are extending the power of those incumbent which is contrary to the law. Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: The Comelec should decide whether to postpone the elections or not. However, we need to amend the law first.

If it is due to the lack of funds that the election of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials shall be postponed, it is the Comelec that should decide since it is the one in charge of the appropriation for these political exercises. If politicians want its postponement for whatever reason, Congress has to amend first the law covering such elections.

Lame excuse

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: If the barangay officials shall be elected and not appointed as proposed and the Sangguniang Kabataan will not be abolished, it is better to hold the election this October. Lack of funds is a lame alibi and will justify the indecisiveness of the government. Also, there is no assurance that there will be enough funds next year. The next barangay elections should just be held simultaneously with the mid-term and presidential elections to minimize expenditures. Postponement will prolong the term of the incumbent and the agony of the barangay residents especially the challengers.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: There seems to be no acceptable reason to postpone the elections except perhaps when there is a nationwide calamity like typhoon “Ondoy” coming on the eve of the polls.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: No, the barangay elections should be held as scheduled.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: No, we should end the term of non-performing barangay leaders.

Big setback

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: The postponement of the barangay and SK elections would be a big setback for those who want reforms and change and success for corrupt and lousy officials.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: No, because in doing so, additional expenses will be incurred and we need money at this time of economic difficulty. Besides, even if the people were not informed about the registration for the barangay and SK elections, they still registered at the last hour, a clear proof that they want to vote.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: No, people should always be given a free hand to choose competent and honest barangay officials.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Why are we Filipinos fond of postponing everything?

Clear signs

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: No, the long lines of registrants at the Comelec office during the registration period prove that people are eagerly waiting for the chance to vote this barangay and SK elections.

Abolish the SK

Jimmy Donton, Palawan: Elections should proceed without delay to practice democracy at the grassroots. However, I believe is time to raise the issue on the election of SK officials because at such a young age, many SK officials are already exposed to corruption. This defeats the purpose of their existence. Being an SK Chairman before, I strongly support the move to abolish it.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan: The barangay elections should push through as scheduled, but I’m in favor of the abolition of SK as they are more an excess baggage than an asset of Juan dela Cruz. Unfortunately, most

SK officials are relatives of incumbent politicians who have vast influence on them.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: The proposed postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections is a crazy idea similar to that of its creation. It is a waste of time and money because barangay officials are nothing and useless if they are not in good relations with the mayor. It is best to cancel the election and just let the mayor appoint barangay officials. The Sangguniang Kabataan must also be canceled. We are just teaching corruption and the evils of political maneuvering to our youth.

Romie Salvacion, Carigara: Yes, I support not only the postponement of the barangay and SK elections but also their eventual abolishment.

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: No, let’s go ahead with the barangay elections but scrap the SK elections.

Fel Avlis, Aklan: Di na kailangan i-postpone o ituloy kundi i-abolish na lang kasi kino-corupt lang ang mga kabataan at barangay officials ng mga pulitiko.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: We should proceed with the barangay election but I am for the abolition of the SK.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Sorry to say that barangay and SK officials have not contributed much in terms of good governance. The tentacles of corruption have not spared them.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Ituloy ang barangay elections at buwagin na ang Sangguniang Kabataan. This is the only way to get rid of inefficient, corrupt and non-performing barangay officials.

Why abolish SK?

Jayson Biadog, Mandaluyong City: I disagree with proposal to abolish the SK because as a former member of the organization, I’ve seen and witnessed the needs of the youth that have to be addressed.

Better to appoint

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Pabor po ako sa mungkahi ni VP Binay na mag-appoint na lang ang mayor ng barangay officials, nang sa ganoon ay makatipid pa sa gastusin.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Yes, I support the idea of appointing barangay captains and scrapping the SK. The appointment of the barangay captain will be done by the Sangguniang Panglungsod or Pambayan as the case maybe.

The way i see it

Sammy Macana, Davao del Norte: Admiral Angue is the “Col. Querubin” of the Aquino administration.

Joyce Nazario, Metro Manila: Toll fees on the Slex and Nlex are unlawful. It is an essential service the government should provide. If we pay toll for the Slex and Nlex, then toll should be paid for use of Edsa, it is not fair for us living South or North of Manila to have to pay for our main highway.

Just asking

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Will truth prevail by merely publishing two contradictory ads about the situation in Smokey Mountain? How about a truthful report?

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit