Villar to call caucus on barangay, youth polls postponement

Senate President Manny Villar will get the consensus of his colleagues in an all-member caucus today to discuss the proposal deferring the barangay and youth elections to May 2009.

Although admitting that a number of senators are opposed to extending the term of incumbent barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, Villar said they will look at the recommendation of the lower house with an open mind.

The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms in approving the measure said the postponement of the elections stemmed from the fact that the country just came from the May midterm elections.

Villar expressed his personal preference for the barangay polls to proceed, saying the practice of this democratic exercise is an assessment of the performance of sitting officials.

"Parliamentary courtesy dictates that we also consider the recommendation of our counterpart in the lower house, especially because we understand that they are more in tune with the pulse of their constituencies," Villar said.

Villar said they will scrutinize the basis for deferring the elections, which has been twice deferred in the past.

"For barangay officials who are performing well, an extended term is okay. But what about the officials who are performing poorly? We cannot afford to give them fresh two years and prolong the people's agony," he said.

Villar said due to time constraints, the proposal will have to be prioritized, or the elections will push through as scheduled, on October 29.

"Congress must act on this proposal fast. Local governments are already starting the preparatory activities. Money will only be wasted if at the end of the day, the elections will be deferred," he said.

The last village and youth polls were held in 2002. Elections were scheduled for 2005 but were also postponed.