MANILA Mayor and Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno yesterday said he is in favor of postponing the December 5, 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections and for the government to use the allotted budget for “ayuda” to Filipinos affected by the surging oil prices.
“Huwag na munang ituloy ‘yung barangay elections this year. Kakatapos lang ng national elections sa May. Tapos another election for barangay officials in December,” Moreno told reporters in a brief interview in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija where he and his running mate, Doc Willie, and senatorial bets Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc and Jopet Sison are on a two-day sortie.
“Better to use the allocated money for ayuda and other urgent needs of the people in these difficult times,” he added.
In 2019, President Duterte signed Republic Act 11462 or the postponement of the May 2020 barangay and SK elections to December 2022. Under the law, barangay elections after the December 2022 vote will take place on the first Monday of December 2025 and every three years thereafter.
A proposed legislation seeking to postpone the December 2022 barangay and SK elections to 2024 had been filed at the House of Representatives by Davao Oriental Rep. Joel Almario last November.
About P8 billion has been allocated in the national budget for the barangay elections.
Moreno said this amount is better used to provide aid to Filipinos suffering from the oil price hikes as well as the lingering economic effects of the pandemic.
“If you ask me, let’s extend the barangay election to another year, or a year-and-a-half and use to money to help the people, like gasoline, good, or fertilizer that will be given to farmers,” he said.
Moreno also urged country’s economic managers to find ways to provide immediate relief to Filipinos on account of the continuing economic crisis exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Moreno had appealed to the national government to cut by 50 percent the excise taxes on oil and electricity because of hardships being experienced by the ordinary people affected by the lockdowns caused by the pandemic.
