BE DISCERNING IN CHOOSING BRGY/SK LEADERS - GORDON

Senator Richard J. Gordon yesterday advised voters to be discerning in the forthcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections set for May 14. Gordon pointed out that the barangay is the country's smallest political unit; hence voters should learn to elect the right leaders starting from the barangay level.

"During elections, we should vote with discernment and choose candidates who are competent, qualified, capable, those with the right track record, among others, so we can ensure that our elected leaders would steer the country towards progress. The barangay may be the smallest political unit, but we should be discerning particularly at that level as easier to be aware of the candidate's capabilities," the senator pointed out.

"We should elect barangay and SK officials who are not only competent, but they should also be service oriented to help the people since they are closest to the grassroots. They should not be involved in illegal activities such as illegal drugs," he added.

Based on data from the Commission on Elections, there are 41,948 punong barangay posts and 293,636 barangay kagawad posts to be filled up on May 14. The number is the same for the SK polls.

Of the total 42,041 barangays in the country, the barangay and SK elections will be deferred in the barangays of Marawi City, where recovery and rehabilitation operations are still ongoing in the wake of the destruction caused by the Marawi Siege.