QUEZON City, Philippines — The Senate Committee on Local Government recommended the suspension of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections this October. According to Committee Chairman Sonny Angara, the committee report is now being circulated and has received the signatures of 17 senators. The recommendation sets the barangay and SK elections on the last Monday of October 2017 in order to give the Duterte administration the chance to implement its projects as well as to make the necessary appointments. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel is also in favor of the suspension because if the elections would push through, the Commission on Elections will enforce a three-month ban against the implementation of government projects as well as on appointments to sensitive positions.