Comelec open to study proposals on postponement of Barangay, SK polls in Negros Oriental

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) expressed openness to study proposals to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental. In a brief statement, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that the poll body has the “power” to hold off the BSKE elections in the said area if it is necessary. “It should be seriously and carefully studied by the Commission,” said Garcia. “Although admittedly, we have the power to postpone the election in an area,” he added. Garcia, however, noted that the provision of the law must be followed if such action will be made. “There are stringent requirements of the law. Aside therefrom, such a postponement is only up to 30 days,” he added. Based on the Omnibus Election Code, the poll body, either by “motu proprio or upon a verified petition by any interested party,” may postpone elections “in any political subdivision.” Postponement may be declared if there is “any serious cause such as violence, terrorism, loss or destruction of election paraphernalia or records, force majeure, and other analogous causes of such a nature that the holding of a free, orderly and honest election should become impossible.” On Thursday, April 19, Senator Francis Tolentino has proposed the postponement of BSKE elections in Negros Oriental. Tolentino made the proposal “in connection with the recent assassination of former Governor Roel Degamo as well other pending violence-related cases in Negros Oriental.” In a statement, the senator “warned that the present political atmosphere in Negros Oriental may lead to further chaos, especially if the Barangay and SK polls should proceed in the province this coming last week of October.” To note, the BSKE elections is set on Oct. 30.