MANILA, Sept. 17 (PIA)--Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista advised critics of the postponement of the 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to bring their objections to the Supreme Court so that the SC can decide on the issue. Both Houses of Congress passed on final reading their respective versions of the bill postponing the October 31st elections to October 2017 on Tuesday, September 13.
"Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na nagkaroon ng pagpapaliban ng Barangay at SK. Siguro maganda na idulog nila sa Korte Suprema at nang madesisyunan ng Korte Suprema," Chairman Bautista said.
The constitutionality of the postponement is being questioned as it will extend the term of office of incumbent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials when the constitution provides that these officers should be elected and not imposed on the people by Congress through term extension. The approved bill allows incumbent officials to remain in office unless removed or until their successors are elected. The Commission will conduct another round of voters' registration for an estimated 5 million additional voters from October to April 2017. (COMELEC/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)
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