Senate OKs on second reading bill postponing SK, barangay polls

The bill seeking to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections scheduled in May next year has hurdled second reading in the Senate.

Under the bill, the next round of barangay and SK elections will be conducted on Dec. 5, 2022 instead of the second Monday of May 2020.

The subsequent synchronized barangay and SK elections shall be held on the first Monday of Dec. 2025 and every three years thereafter.

The amended Senate Bill No. 1043, a consolidation of five bills, was contained in Committee Report No. 4 and presented in the plenary by Sen. Imee Marcos, chair of the electoral reforms and people's participation.

If enacted into law, there will be two elections in 2022 - the presidential elections in May while the elections for village and youth leaders will be in December of the same year.

"Congratulations to the distinguished lady senator from Leyte and Ilocos Norte for the first bill approved by the 18th Congress," Majority Leader Migz Zubiri said on Senate floor immediately after the measure was approved by the Body.