• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Deputy Speaker Alfredo Abelardo Benitez is pushing for the postponement of the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) for six months because of the ongoing fuel crisis.
“I would rather use the allocated P13 billion to P14 billion for the elections to augment the ongoing financial assistance,” the lawmaker from Bacolod City said on Wednesday, April 6.
He added that he intends to file a legislation for it.
“While the Supreme Court may deem it unconstitutional, for me there is a valid or just cause, because of the ongoing crisis. Some people are even saying, we have to prepare, as it might be worse than Covid-19 pandemic,” Benitez said.
“If that happens we should be ready. We need all the available funds in order for us to respond accordingly.”
The filing of certificates of candidacy for the BSKE 2026 has been set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sept. 28 to Oct. 5 while the election day is on Nov. 2.
Earlier, the Comelec said it is targeting to register 1.4 million new voters for the 2026 BSKE during the months-long nationwide registration.
The nationwide voter registration, which started Oct. 20 last year, will run until May 18.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said he has received information about the supposed plans to postpone anew the village and youth polls.
“We have heard things like that (BSKE postponement) because of the current crisis,” Garcia said in an interview. “But Comelec cannot stop preparing just because of the buzz or news. We still need to prepare.” | GB
