The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill which seeks to postpone the 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections originally slated on December.
During Tuesday’s session, 264 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill No. 4673 or An Act Postponing the 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections — which amends R.A. No. 9164, which mandates elections every three years.
The bill seeks to move the barangay and SK elections from December 5 this year to Dec. 4, 2023.
It also states the next synchronized barangay and SK elections shall be held on the first Monday of December 2026, and every three years thereafter.
Among the proponents of the measure argued it will provide more time for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and local government units to better prepare, and for the national government to adjust the honoraria of poll workers.
The last barangay and SK polls were held in May 2018 after being postponed twice.
Comelec chair George Garcia earlier turned down the suggestion to hold the next barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections simultaneously with the midterm polls in 2025.
"Medyo masalimuot iyon. Medyo hindi magiging maganda ang pag-hold natin ng elections," he said in a radio interview.
