JUST IN: Senate approves postponement of barangay, SK polls on final reading

By Meanne Corvera
Eagle News Service

The Senate on Wednesday approved on third and final reading the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections slated this October.

Seventeen senators voted in favor of the measure seeking the postponement, while only Senator Risa Hontiveros dissented.

The Senate’s approved version did not include the provision allowing President Rodrigo Duterte to appoint officers in charge in barangays.

Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon said the majority accepted their amendment to remove Section 3, which they earlier argued could be used as basis to declare martial law.

In the approved Senate version, instead of October, the elections will be held in the last Monday of May in 2018.