By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said he will sign the measure postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to allow the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to focus on the first-ever regular parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Speaking to the Philippine media delegation after his five-day state visit to India, the President stressed the historic and critical nature of the BARMM elections, which will be the first time voters in the region will directly elect their parliament.
“You have to remember, the BARMM election is the first time we would ever have this kind of election at all. Sa buong kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, hindi pa nagkaroon ng BARMM parliament na hinalal ng tao,” Marcos said.
“If that election fails, malaking failure ‘yan sa peace process. Kaya’t kailangang-kailangang maging matagumpay ang pagganap ng halalan ng BARMM,” he added.
Marcos noted that the Comelec itself has recommended postponing the BSKE, citing its limited capacity to handle both the barangay polls and the BARMM parliamentary elections.
The President said the postponement would not violate the Supreme Court’s ruling against shortening the term of barangay officials since, in this case, it would be extended.
“On the Supreme Court decision that we cannot shorten the term of the barangay officials, we’re actually lengthening. That’s not in conflict,” he said.
Marcos said the decision is a “most sensible” course of action, given that the country has just concluded the midterm elections and will soon hold the landmark BARMM polls.
