Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._2572 *

Introduced by Representative RANEO E. ABU

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to move the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from
second Monday of May 2020 to second Monday of October 2022, amending for this purpose
Republic Act No. 10952.

Powers and functions of Barangay officials are significant to the development of the
nation. Government programs are effectively implemented by them, Under Section 384 of
Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, barangay, as the basic political
unit, serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of the government policies, plans,
programs, projects, and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective
views of the people may be expressed, crystalized and considered, and where disputes may
be amicably settled.

The terms of office of barangay and SK officials have varied over the years. The
Local Government Code initially set their terms to three (3) years, then this was changed to
five (5) years then back to three (3) years again.

With the passage of Republic Act No. 10952, the candidates who won in the May 14,
2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections would be serving for only two (2)
years, instead of the three (3) years mandated by law. The two (2) years term of Barangay
Officials and SK officials are too short to fully implement the programs and developments that
they planned for their respective barangays and constituencies. They should be given ample
time to deliver the services to the people. y

Further, postponing the barangay elections in May 2020 to October 2022 will
definitely allow the incumbent barangay officials to continue implementing the various
Policies and programs of the Duterte administration. Furthermore, this will save the
government elections related expenses for year 2020 and the budget that will be saved can
now be utilized to fund the priority programs and projects by the National Government.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is eamestly sought

presentative

2” District, Batangas


1571

AN ACT POSTPONING THE MAY 2020 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG
KABATAAN ELECTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9164, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9340, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10656,
PRESCRIBING ADDITIONAL RULES GOVERNING THE CONDUCT OF BARANGAY
AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9164, as amended by Republic Act no. 9340,
and republic Act No. 10632, and Republic Act No. 10923, is hereby further amended to
read as follows:

"SECTION 1. Date of Election.- There shall be synchronized
barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections, which shall be
held on July 15, 2002. Subsequent synchronized barangay
and sangguniang kabataan elections shall be held on the last
Monday of October 2007 and every three (3) years
thereafter: Provided, That the barangay and sangguniang
kabataan elections on October 23, 2017 shall be postponed to
the second Monday of may 2018. Subsequent synchronized
barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections shall be held
on the second Monday of October 2022 and every three (3)
years thereafter.”

SECTION 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9164, as amended by Republic Act no. 9340,
republic Act No. 10632, and Republic Act No. 10923, is hereby further amended to read
as follows:

"SECTION 4. Assumption of Office.- The term of office of the
barangay and sangguniang Kabataan officials elected under
this Act shall commence at noon of June 30 next following
their election: Provided, however, That the term of office of
the barangay and sangguniang kabataan officials elected in
the October 2022 elections and subsequently thereafter, shall
commence at noon of December 1 next following. their
election.”

SECTION 3. Hold Over.- Until their successors shall have been duly elected and
qualified, all incuimbent barangay officials shall remain in office, unless sooner removed
or suspended for cause: Provided, That barangay officials who are ex officio members of
the sangguniang bayan, sangguniang panlungsod, or sangguniang panlalawigan, as the
case may be, shall continue to serve as such members in the sanggunian concerned until
the next barangay election. The Liga ng mga Barangay at the municipal city, and
provincial levels shal, not later than July 31, 2018, conduct elections for ex

officio positions in the sanggunians under the supervision of the Department of the
Interior and Local Government.

SECTION 4. Ban of Government Projects.- The construction or maintenance of
barangay-funded roads and bridges shall be prohibited for a period of ten (10) days
immediately preceding the data of election, the provisions of Section 261, paragraphs
(v) and (w), of the Omnibus Election Code to the contrary notwithstanding.


SECTION 5. Prohibition on Appointments of Government Officials and Employees.- The
appointment or hiring of new employees, creation of new position, promotion, or giving
of salary increases, remuneration or priveleges in the barangay shall be prohibited for a
period of ten (10) days immediately preceding the election, the provisions of Section
261, paragraph (g), of the Omnibus Election Code to the contrary notwithstanding.

SECTION 6. Use of Appropriations. — The amount of Six billion ninety million three
hundred twenty-four thousand three hundred twenty-five pesos and sixteen centavos
(P6,090,324,325.16) shall be considered as continuing appropriations and shall be used
exclusively for the conduct of the barangay and sangguniang kabataan registration and
elections in October 2022.

SECTION 7. Use of Sangguniang Kabataan Fund. - Until the new sangguniang kabataan
officials shall have been duly elected and qualified, the sangguniang barangay shall not
use the sangguniang kabataan fund except for youth development and empowerment
programs as provided in Republic Act No. 10742, otherwise known as the "Sangguniang-
Kabataan Reform Act of 2015".

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Commission or. Elections
shall, within fifteen (15) days after the effectivity of this Act, promulgate such rules and
regulations necessary to implement this Act:

SECTION 9.. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders, issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof,
which arc contrary 60 and inconsistent with any provision of this Ad; are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Saeparaliitily Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect immediately following the completion
of its publication either in the Official Gazette, or in two (2) newspaper of general
ctrculation in the Philippines.