MANILA, Philippines — Election watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) announced on Sunday, September 27, its plan to challenge the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) before the Supreme Court through a petition for certiorari.
NAMFREL Secretary General Eric Alvia voiced the organization’s intent while criticizing the newly enacted law as unconstitutional.
“Humihingi lang ako ng clearance sa council namin kung maghahain kami ng Petition for Certiorari sa Supreme Court, pero sigurado na may hakbang kaming gagawin para tutulan ito dahil alam namin na ang batas na ito ay unconstitutional,” Alvia said in a radio interview.
“Kaya namin tinututulan ang batas na ito, ito ay humahadlang sa karapatan natin para bumoto at mamili ng ating mga pinuno. Itong halalan na ‘to, pang-siyam na bases na itong pinostpone, simula 1994,” he added.
The watchdog voiced its disappointment over the delay, emphasizing its commitment to back initiatives aimed at questioning the legality of the measure.
”A government genuinely intent on addressing the crises it cites — fiscal pressure, the need for efficient and accountable frontline service delivery — should be seeking a renewed and fresh mandate for barangay leadership, not extending the tenure of officials without a single vote cast in their favor,” NAMFREL stated.
”NAMFREL’s position on this point has not changed: economic hardship is, if anything, all the more reason to ensure accountable, freshly-mandated leadership at the level of government closest to the people — not less,” the group added.
The announcement follows the signing of a law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday, September 25, which rescheduled the local polls to 2028 and expanded the tenure of incumbent barangay and youth officials from four years to five years.
Marcos defended the decision, stating the delay gives local leaders the opportunity “to further improve service delivery, complete programs that have already been initiated, and focus more intently on the needs of every community, family, and the youth.”