By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

In response to the proposal by President Rodrigo Duterte to postpone barangay elections and appoint officials instead, the Diocese of Bacolod yesterday advised the president to follow the Constitution.
According to Diocese social communications head and San Sebastian Cathedral Rector, Fr. Felix Pasquin, as a public official, along with all citizens of the country, they must bow to the Constitution.
He added no one is allowed to bend it to their wishes, no matter how powerful or popular.
Pasquin said, in today’s environment, the country needs to respect and strengthen our democratic institutions.
Last week, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno confirmed the president is seeking to postpone barangay elections and, instead of voting, barangay officials will be appointed by the president himself, following proper consultations with city or town mayors.
Local labor group General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) responded by calling it a “clear prelude to dictatorship.”
A majority of senators have already announced they would block the proposal, calling it unconstitutional./WDJ