Run after ‘narco-barangay officials’, Namfrel urges gov’t

MANILA — An election watchdog urged the government to use the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls to hold accountable barangay officials allegedly engaged in illegal drug operations.

“File charges but these barangay officials can still maintain their posts until the final judgement of their case. I hope they have filed or will be doing it soon since it has been seven months since they announced that 40 percent of barangay officials are involved in the drug trade and/or benefitting from it,” said National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) secretary general Eric Alvia.

President Rodrigo Duterte pushed for the postponement of the village and youth polls saying majority of barangay officials were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Alvia lauded the decision not to appoint barangay officials and let incumbent ones stay on a holdover capacity, as provided in the recently-signed law postponing the village and youth polls to May 2018.

“The dropping of the appointment provision is a victory for us voters,” he added.

On Wednesday, Malacanang announced that the President signed on October 2 Republic Act 10952 which postpones the polls to May 2018.

NAMFREL has repeatedly opposed the postponement of the barangay and SK polls, reiterating that electoral exercises must be held on a regular basis. (PNA)

Popular

PBBM to soldiers: Serve the citizenry, protect the homeland

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet “Panata ito ng katapatan sa tungkulin at paninindigan para sa bayan.” At the oath-taking ceremony of 29 newly promoted generals and flag...

Gov’t assures prompt aid to Cebu quake victims

By Brian Campued Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide immediate relief to families and individuals affected by the magnitude 6.9...

PBBM assures sustained gov’t support to calamity-hit Masbate

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday assured the public that the government will continue to provide various forms of assistance to...

ICI follows evidence, not manipulated for political gain —Palace told Escudero, VP Sara

By Brian Campued The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) remains “independent” and only follows evidence and is not controlled for political gain amid its probe...