President Marcos has cited the importance of barangay elections by saying elected barangay officials can influence their constituents in terms of voting for candidates in the national elections.

After casting his vote early for the 2023 barangay elections at his precinct in Batac, Ilocos Norte on Monday, Oct. 30, Marcos shared how for him barangay elections are important, especially for national candidates.

"The political dynamics is very simple. If halimbawa (for example), you are running for mayor, and the majority of the barangay officials (who) are on your side, are helping you, ay talagang malaking bagay ‘yon (it's really a big deal). It will make it much easier to be elected in the local level," he said.

"But this applies all the way up to the national level, hanggang for the midterm elections for example, what happens here in the barangay as a result of the barangay elections today are going to have an effect on the results of the midterm elections and subsequently in the national elections," he added.

The President said it is actually the barangay officials who can promise to deliver votes for national candidates. And if they say so, they will do so, he added.

"Kapag sinabi ng ibang barangay na magde-deliver ako sa’yo ng 350 votes dito sa aking barangay, asahan mo, 350 yun, totoo yun (If they say they will deliver 350 votes, expect that it is true)," he said.

"That’s why ang sa aming assessment ay kung minsan nagiging napakainit ang barangay election dahil talagang crucial iyan (our assessment is that sometimes barangay elections get intense because crucial)," he said.

The President said barangay elections are held on a very intimate and personal level, that is why the government wants to prevent them from becoming fierce.