Acting supervisor Eddie Aba of the Commission on Elections in Oriental Negros said the Comelec has issued resolutions ordering its field offices to conduct a registration of new voters from July 15 to 22 for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to be held on October 29, this year.

Earlier, Gov. Emilio Macias 11, Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices and other local officials expressed doubts as to whether the polls will be held, considering the huge expenses for it.

Aba said, though, that, since there is a law, the Comelec should be prepared for the political exercise, referring to Comelec Resolution No. 8220, providing that those aged 15 but below 18 may register, to participate in the Sanguniang Kabataan elections. Voters should also be residents for six months of the barangays where they intend to vote.

For the barangay elections, those aged at least 18 years old on or before the scheduled election may also register and must be in the Philippines for at least a year, and must be residents of the barangays where they intend to vote, for not less than six months.

Meanwhile, Vice Gov. Jose Petit Baldado said he is in favor of holding of the barangay and SK elections, saying that many barangay officials are high performers, but some are "non-performing assets."

Baldado said accountability of most barangay officials is gone, and that others should also be given a chance to serve their barangays.*RA

back to top