Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said they will know on Monday, when Congress resumes its sessions, whether the postponement of the Nov. 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections will still be pursued.
“The house leaders have been asking the sentiments of the members and a consensus may be formed on Monday,” Benitez said on Friday, July 31.
Benitez said he heard the majority in Congress are in favor of holding it on November 2028.
Cabinet Secretary Benjamin Abalos, who was in Bacolod City Friday, said “It is Congress that will l have the final say on this”.
No decision has been made yet, he added.
Deputy Speaker and Bacolod Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on July 27 said that the Nov. 2 elections are expected to push through as scheduled, even though the issue was not mentioned in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address.
The latest position of the Department of the Interior and Local Government points to the elections proceeding as planned, he said.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) preparations for the Nov. 2 BSKE polls is ongoing.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said they will ask President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare Nov. 3 of this year as holiday in connection with the holding of the BSKE the day before.
This will allow the voters, especially those who will go to their provinces to be able to vote on the day of election, he said.
“The Comelec will request the President to consider declaring November 3 a holiday. Since November 1 is All Saints’ Day, many of our fellow citizens will be traveling to their hometowns,” he said .
“However, if there is work or school on November 3, they might rush back from the provinces on November 2 and fail to vote at their polling precincts,” he said.*with a report from PNA
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