MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives has approved on second reading the proposal to postpone the October 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to May 2018.
Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said the bill has been set for third and final reading approval on Monday, September 11.
The incumbent village officials would stay in holdover capacity, according to the bill.
“Until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, all incumbent barangay officials shall remain in office, unless sooner removed or suspended for cause,” the bill said.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he wanted the barangay elections postponed and the incumbents replaced with appointees because some of the village officials are linked to the illegal drugs trade or are being backed by drug money.
