By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Senator Cynthia Villar said there is no time to tackle the bills filed before the House of Representatives seeking the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections slated for May of this year.

According to Villar, the Senate’s last session was held on Wednesday, saying, it is “impossible” to pass a law within three days.

“I don’t know why does the Congress is insisting on passing the [bill],” the senator said.

She added the actions of the House of Representatives over the proposed bill are only creating “false hope” among the public.

Earlier, Surigao del Sur second district Rep. Johnny Pimentel filed House Bill No. 7072, which seeks to postpone the said polls until October of this year.

Pimentel explained, given coordination costs and expenses associated with organizing elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other involved agencies need additional time to ensure credible and effective barangay elections.

Pimentel’s house bill was already approved during its second reading this week.

Meanwhile, Oriental Mindoro second district Rep. Reynaldo Umali filed a similar bill, however, his proposal would postpone polls until, at least, May 2019./DGB, WDJ