Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Thursday, March 10, suggested the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections on Dec. 5, saying funds could be instead used as “ayuda” or aid to millions of Filipinos.

“Huwag na munang ituloy ‘yung barangay elections this year. Kakatapos lang ng national elections sa May (Don't push through with the barangay elections this year. The national elections would just end in May). Tapos (then) another election for barangay officials in December. Better use the allocated money for ayuda and other urgent needs of the people in these difficult times,” Domagoso said in an interview.

“As I have said, maghahanap tayo ng paraan kung paano maitatawid ang taong bayan (we will look for ways to help the people). And one of those is money or resources. So, kung ako ang tatanungin (if you are going to ask me), extend muna natin yoong barangay (let’s extend for now the barangay) election by another year, or a year and a half, nang ‘yung perang gagamitin natin sa eleksyon, magamit natin para ipang-ayuda sa tao, katulad nung gasolina, or ipang-ayuda sa pagkain, or ipambili natin ng ferltilizer at ipamahagi sa magsasaka (so the money that will be used in the election can be used it to help the people, like for gasoline, or for food, or we buy fertilizers and distribute them to the farmers),” he explained.

In 2019, President Duterte signed Republic Act 11462 postponing the May 2020 barangay and SK elections to December 2022.

Last November, Davao Oriental Rep. Joel Almario filed House Bill 10425 seeking to postpone the Dec. 5, 2022 to May 6, 2024.

At least P8 billion has been allocated in the national budget for the barangay elections.

“So, ‘yung perang gagamitin sa eleksyon para sa barangay (the money that is allotted for barangay election), I’d rather spend it na pakinabanagn muna ng tao at maitawid natin sila. (that will benefit and help the people survive). Kaya ‘yung (so the) barangay election, hopefully, ma-cancel muna, extend muna natin ng about a year or about a year and a half,” said Moreno.

Domagoso, meanwhile, also appealed to the economic managers of the country to find ways in providing assistance to the people amid the consequences brought by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“Our economic managers should look at these problems with the same ‘malasakit’ that President Duterte has shown in the past five years as the country’s chief executive,” Domagoso said.