Republic

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Philippines

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3324

Introduced by Representat:ive Jefferson F. Khonghun

AN ACT POSTPONING THE DEtCEMBER 2022 BARANGAY AND
SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELIZCTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT WO. 9164, AS AMENDED BY
REPUBLIC ACT NO, 9340, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10632,
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10656, REPUBLIC ACT NO, 10923,
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10952, AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11462,
AND FOR OTEER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to postpone the synchronized barangay and
sangguniang kabataan electiors from December 5, 2022, to
Octcher 7, 2024. Subsequent synchronized barangay and
sangguniang kabataan elections will be held on the first Monday
of October 2027 and every three (3) years thereafter.

‘This legislation is grounded on the following reasons:

First, we are at the endgame of our battle against the dreaded
COVID-19 disease. The roll-out of vaccines and booster shots, the
constant prompting to our ci
of the minimum health and safety protocols all yielded to fruition.
Such results reflect the kind of government that we presently have;
that kind which has worked tirelessly in order to lead everyone
towards the light at the end of tre tunnel. Having witnessed this

tremendous outcome, the call for consistency is therefore desired.
This consistency points at our -eaders in the national and local

ze1s, and the persistent mon

1


leveis, with particular mention to the barangay level. By now, our
barangay and sangguniang kabataan officials have understood
their roles and functions in tending towards the needs of their
constituents, especially those who are and have been afflicted with
the virus. Postponing the barangay and sangguniang kabata:
elections would answer to this call for consistency, thus the
attention remains geared towards defeating this difficulty.

In line with this, the second reason for supporting this legislation
is that pushing through with the said elections this year will
require a significant budget allocation from the government in
order to mobilize the same. Hence, pleading for a postponement of
this year’s barangay and sangzuniang kabataan elections will
redirect the said budget into adcressing the needs of our citizens,
particularly that of the health sector. Ergo, in combating the
sandemic, the necessary medicel kits and equipment could be at
their disposal since we will be capable enough to provide them with
he same. Salus populi est suprema lex (the welfare of the people is
the supreme law).

Finaily, to be in consonance with consistency, continuity must be
observed. This legislation submits that the policies, plans, and
projects of our barangay officials are well under way, a good
handful of which are already prcviding its constituents their well-
deserved treatment. To conduct the upcoming elections implies a
probable change in the administration; to do so might deprive the
present barangay officials of their opportunity to fulfill their service
to the people, and this defeats the very purpose of continuity.
Newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials will
surely take the time to settle in and adjust — this legislation seeks
te id the waste of time, fund, and effort, taking into account the
fact that the people have yet to clamor for change. After all, fixing
what is not broken has proven to be a futile endeavor.

in view of the foregoing, the apprcval of this bil} rnestly sought.

¥. KHONGHUN

1* Di Zambales


Sr 3324

AN ACT POSTPONING THE DECEMBER 2022 BARANGAY AND
SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN EL!2CTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 0. 9164, AS AMENDED BY
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9340, REPUBLIC ACT NO, 10632,

PUBLIC ACT NO. 10656, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10923,
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10952, AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11462,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be ii evacted by the Senate anc! House of Representatives of the

Phikppines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9164, as

amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“Section 1. Date of
synchronized barangay and sangguniang kabataan
elections which shall be held on July 15, 2002.

ig

lection. There shall be

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 December 5,
2022 shall be postponed to October 7, 2024.
Subsequent synchronized barangay and
sangguniang kabataan elections shall be held on the
first Monday of October 2927 and every three (3) years
thereafter.”

SECTION 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No, 9164, as amended,

is hereby further amended to reed 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
7, 2024 elections and subsequently thereafter, shall
commence at noon of November 4 next following their

election.”

SECTION 3. Hoid-Over. — Jntil their successors shall have
been duly elected and qualified, all incumbent barangay and
sangguniang kabataan officials shall remain in office, unless
sooner removed or suspended for cause: Provided, That the
barangay and sangguniang kabataan 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 and sangguniang kabataan elections.

SECTION 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the
impiementation of this Act shall be taken from the appropriations
of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) under the General
Appropriations Act and/or supplementary appropriations

thereafter.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts,

presidential decrees, executive orders, issuances, presidential


proclamations, rules and reguletions or parts thereof, which are
contrary to and inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are

hereby repealed, amended or mcdified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Separability Ciause. — If any portion or provision
of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act
er any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and

effect.
SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect
immediately following the completion of its publication either in

the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,